I Just Learned About Abortion Methods: My Reaction

As I was in the process of writing the article for the Weekly Photo Feature highlighting Creation Fest 2008, and Rev. Schenck’s involvement, I researched abortion methods. For quick reference, here is what I wrote:

On Saturday, June 28, the Schenck brothers spoke to young people at the 2008 Creation Music Festival. Their topic came from Psalm 139. In the Psalm, David praises God for the way in which God knitted him together in his mother’s womb (Verse 13). The Bible teaches that there is something special about our bodies. We know that Christ came to earth in bodily form. Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus was “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Therefore, Jesus’ physical body was holy. We also know from Genesis 1:27 that “God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Just as the body of Jesus was holy, so to are our bodies. Because of this truth, that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” we must treat human bodies with respect! Whether it’s our own body or the body of someone else, it deserves to be treated with dignity. Our culture has defamed the body. It has become a sex symbol and a means toward selfish indulgence or even contempt! It has become something we cut into pieces and suck out of a mother’s womb. It has become a garbage dump (drugs, junk-food, etc.). It has become something we throw away (euthanasia). We must always remember God, the supreme architect of the human body, and honor this gift God has given to us!

In reality, I knew that abortion was legal until the baby was born, yet I had chosen not to think about it. I had not given much thought to the methods, I only knew I was against it and that was good enough. But, so as to be accurate in my writing, I was lead to research the topic.

I was absolutely stunned. I went through an emotional succession: first came disgust, then anguish, and anger. I was overwhelmed with the wickedness that occurs in our nation every day! I had no idea how brutally these precious babies were murdered! The information I learned shook my apathetic attitude to the core. Here it is, you must know.

8 weeks
At eight to nine weeks the eyelids have begun forming and hair appears. By the ninth and tenth weeks the preborn child sucks her thumb, turns somersaults, jumps, can squint to close out light, frown, swallow, and move her tongue.

Suction Aspiration
This is the most common method of abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. General or local anesthesia is given to the mother and her cervix is quickly dilated. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-edged tip) is inserted into the womb. This instrument is then connected to a vacuum machine by a transparent tube. The vacuum suction, 29 times more powerful than a household vacuum cleaner, tears the fetus and placenta into small pieces which are sucked through the tube into a bottle and discarded.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
This method is similar to the suction method with the added insertion of a hook shaped knife (curette) which cuts the baby into pieces. The pieces are scraped out through the cervix and discarded [Note: This abortion method should not be confused with a therapeutic D&C done for reasons other than pregancy.]

12 weeks
By the end of the third month all arteries are present, including the coronary vessels of the heart. Blood is circulating through these vessels to all body parts.

The heart beat ranges during this fetal period from 110 to 160 beats per minute. All blood cells are produced by the liver and spleen, a job soon taken over by the bone marrow. White blood cells, important for immunity, are formed in the lymph nodes and thymus.

Vocal chords are complete, and the child can and does sometimes cry (silently). The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. The fetus may even suck his thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers.

14 weeks
Muscles lengthen and become organized. The mother will soon start feeling the first flutters of the baby kicking and moving inside.

15 weeks
The fetus has an adult's taste buds and may be able to savor the mother's meals.

16 weeks
Five and a half inches tall and only six ounces in weight, eyebrows, eyelashes and fine hair appear. The child can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault.

18 weeks
The fetus is now about 5 inches long. The child blinks, grasps, and moves her mouth. Hair grows on the head and body.

20 weeks
The child can hear and recognize mother's voice. Though still small and fragile, the baby is growing rapidly and could possibly survive if born at this stage. Fingernails and fingerprints appear. Sex organs are visible. Using an ultrasound device, the doctor can tell if the child is a girl or a boy.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
This method is used up to 18 weeks' gestation. Instead of the loop-shaped knife used in D&C abortions, a pair of forceps is inserted into the womb to grasp part of the fetus. The teeth of the forceps twist and tear the bones of the unborn child. This process is repeated until the fetus is totally dismembered and removed. Usually the spine must be snapped and the skull crushed in order to remove them.

Salt Poisoning (Saline Injection)
Used after 16 weeks (four months) when enough fluid has accumulated. A long needle injects a strong salt solution through the mother's abdomen into the baby's sac. The baby swallows this fluid and is poisoned by it. It also acts as a corrosive, burning off the outer layer of skin. It normally takes somewhat over an hour for the baby to die from this. Within 24 hours, labor will usually set in and the mother will give birth to a dead or dying baby. (There have been many cases of these babies being born alive. They are usually left unattended to die. However, a few have survived and later been adopted.)

6 months
Seen here at six months, the unborn child is covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo. Its tender skin is protected by a waxy substance called vernix. Some of this substance may still be on the child's skin at birth at which time it will be quickly absorbed. The child practices breathing by inhaling amnionic fluid into developing lungs.

Prostaglandin Chemical Abortion
This form of abortion uses chemicals developed by the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Co. which cause the uterus to contract intensely, pushing out the developing baby. The contractions are more violent than normal, natural contractions, so the unborn baby is frequently killed by them -- some have even been decapitated. Many, however, have also been born alive.

Hysterotomy or Caesarean Section
Used mainly in the last three months of pregnancy, the womb is entered by surgery through the wall of the abdomen. The technique is similar to a Caesarean delivery, except that the umbilical cord is usually cut while the baby is still in the womb, thus cutting off his oxygen supply and causing him to suffocate. Sometimes the baby is removed alive and simply left in a corner to die of neglect or exposure.

30 weeks
For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother's blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the fetus. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well.

32 weeks
The fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming.

40 weeks
The baby, now approximately seven and a half pounds, is ready for life outside its mother's womb. At birth the placenta will detach from the side of the uterus and the umbilical cord will cease working as the child takes his first breaths of air. The child's breathing will trigger changes in the structure of the heart and bypass arteries which will force all blood to now travel through the lungs.

* Information taken from: http://www.lifesitenews.com/abortiontypes/

The most logical question we can ask is, “So what do we do?” In light of the fact that good people have been trying to stop this outrageous crime since 1973, we need to learn from there experience. But, before I address this question please know that I am indebted to the book, “Blinded by Might: Why the Religious Right Can’t Save America” by Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson, for my following thoughts. Also, please know that I approach this topic with complete humility.

For 35 years moral people have been fighting this issue in the courts and in the legislature. They operated off the false assumption that laws can change America. In reality, that is not true at all. Long before laws change in America, people change. Roe V. Wade was a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself! Yet, good, caring people set out to remedy the symptom, not the problem. The problem was not new; it was as old as human existence! Sin was the problem and still is the problem. Yet, Christians failed to realize this. They knew that Jesus Christ came to save sinners, but they missed the fact that sin was the root of abortion.

Therefore, after 35 years of fighting the symptom, we have only one victory to our credit – the ending of partial birth abortion. Can you imagine the success we would have had if, right at the start, committed Christians would have committed themselves more vehemently to the gospel of Christ! The gospel is the sin remedy! The love of Christ, lived through his people, and imparted to others is the only way of real change! It’s all about the gospel and love!

So we preach and pray and love. We build selfless, loving relationships with women and their husbands! When I recently learned about the abortion methods, my reaction was anger! And truly, it is righteous anger – anger from God. But, the important issue is where I direct that anger! Is it right to direct it at people (i.e. abortion doctors, mothers, fathers, legislators)? No! People are sinners, JUST LIKE ME! People must be loved, as Christ loves them. He loved them so much he subjected Himself to a tortuous death for their benefit. But SIN must receive the entirety of my anger. The Bible says in Proverbs 1:7 that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” And what is the fear of the Lord? Proverbs 8:13 says that “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.” What better way to hate evil than to combat it with its only competitor, the deep love and powerful blood of Jesus Christ!

There are people and organizations that recognize the importance of the gospel and love. In fact, the Women’s Care Centers around America are making a tremendous impact! [1]They are able to care for people physically, mentally, and spiritually, which is the call of James 2:14-17:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Yet, we need a more concerted effort. The church can’t leave this fight to organizations! Christians must put their money, and their time, and their effort where their mouth is. Are we willing to sacrifice? That is the real question. Are we willing to adopt children? Are we willing to house a single mother? Are we willing, as a church family, to face abortion head on with the gospel and our very lives?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1).







[1] http://www.rheaofhope.org/