Suction Aspiration

The mouth (cervix) of the womb is stretched open. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-like top) is inserted into the womb. A strong suction (40 times that of a vacuum cleaner) tears the body into pieces, drawing it into a container. This is the most common method of abortion. Great care must be used to prevent the womb from being damaged. Common concerns are: failing to remove the entire body of the child thus causing major infection, accidentally puncturing another organ such as the liver, kidney’s or bowels. And last but not least leaving scar tissue on the inside of the womb which can cause difficulty in conceiving a child at a later date and sometimes even cause infertility.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

This is similar to the suction method, except for the use of sharp loop-shaped knife (curette). The knife cuts the baby apart. The pieces are then removed through the cervix.

Dilation and Evacuation

The cervix is stretched open. The opening must be larger than for a suction aspiration. Specially designed tools are used to dismember the body of the baby and to crush the baby’s skull. No fetal anesthetic is used. All of the dissected and crushed parts of the baby’s body are removed using ring forceps. This method is used up to18 weeks gestation.

Saline Injection

Though outlawed in some countries because of it’s risk to the mother, this procedure is used in Canada after the forth month of pregnancy. A concentrated salt solution is injected into the sac surrounding the baby. The baby inhales and swallows the solution, has convulsions, and dies one to two hours later from salt poisoning dehydration and hemorrhages of internal organs. The mother goes into labour. A dead or dying baby is delivered within 48 hours.

Prostaglandin Abortion

Prostaglandin’s are hormones that induce labour. They are injected into the sac surrounding the baby or given in a shot or vaginal suppository form. The mother then goes into labour, giving birth to a child either dead or too young to survive. Sometimes poisonous salts are injected with the prostaglandin’s to kill the baby.

Hysterectomy Abortion

Like a caesarean section, the abdomen and the womb are opened surgically. In the hysterectomy, however, the baby who is lifted out is usually too young to survive without immediate medical treatment. The baby is simply put aside to die.

Partial Birth Abortion

This procedure involves birthing an almost full-term baby feet first, in the breech position.  When only the baby’s head is left in the birth canal, the body is turned so that the head is face down.  Surgical scissors are inserted into the back of the scull, and a suction aparatus is passed through the hole.  The baby’s brains are suctioned out of its head, collapsing the scull.  Then the dead baby is fully removed from its mothers body.  To learn more about the controversy surrounding this procedure click here.

For more information and to see the references and sources, please visit AbortionInCanada.ca