abortion? How late?

Question

How late can someone have an abortion??? Not that I am thinking about it, but my husband and I are talking about Downs Syndrome and the tests that go along with it, but they don't do it until the 20th week. If the baby does have it, can I still have an abortion or not? Don't think I am evil, just wondering????

Answer 1

24th week is the cut off generally. But the decision is a state to state change. Contact an abortion clinic or talk to your doctor.

Answer 2

I think a more appropriate question would be what gives anyone the right to judge a woman for the decision she makes? Based on some of your other answers, I’ll assume you are a male. That fact alone means your opinion is worthless when it comes to judging when or even if a woman has an abortion. As men, we cannot experience what a woman goes through when she has an abortion, or when she gives birth, so therefore, we have no right to judge her in any way. All we have the right to do is support her in whatever decision she makes. Piepiepie and Bonzai Betty, I support your views 100%, because it is your right as women to make the decisions about your bodies, no one else’s. As far as the ‘moral’ issues of taking a human life go, you can argue until you’re blue in the face when life starts, but it’s still just an opinion, and it is too easy to counter one opinion of when life starts with an opposing one. The only FACT is that a mammal (human or otherwise) is alive when it can survive on it’s own outside of the mother’s body with no form of artificial life support. Once life support is necessary, you are back into the realm of speculation and opinion. While we’re on the subject of morality, lets consider the fact that if a woman is forced to give birth to a child she doesn’t want, then what? You have an unwanted child in the world, and you have just increased the potential for child abuse, Adoption isn’t always the answer, because the thought of the child being alive somewhere and not knowing anything about it is more stressful than abortion for many women, and if the birth mother comes back at a later date and sues for her parental rights, the child is the one that suffers again. When you look at the long-term negative effects of forcing a woman to give birth, it would seem the pro-lifers could care less about putting a child’s health and safety at risk after it’s born. After all, I never hear about the pro-life movement doing anything to help new mother’s take care of their children once they’re born, they just like to make a lot of noise before the fact, and let someone else suffer the consequences of their actions later. As far as justifying cold-blooded murder, what’s your point? Think of how many innocent lives would have been spared if someone had murdered Hitler, or if his mother had had an abortion.

Answer 3

It depends on the state in which you live. Regarding prenatal testing, here are a few facts you should know:

1. A study of 300 autopsies of aborted babies found that only 39% confirmed the prenatal diagnosis. In other words, the doctors were wrong 61% of the time.

2. Amniocentesis causes 4 healthy babies to be miscarried for every 1 “abnormality” it detects.

These statistics are from the excellent book "Defiant Birth," available here: http://www.amazon.com/Defiant-Birth-Resist-Medical-Eugenics/dp/1876756594/sr=8-1/qid=1168622449/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-2938728-1105238?ie=UTF8&s=books

I've personally met someone whose baby was diagnosed with Down Syndrome while in the womb and then was born perfectly normal. However, even if your baby was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and the diagnosis was correct, I hope you would never even consider killing him. We are all physically imperfect. Physical imperfection is not a crime worthy of death. Furthermore, abortion would be extremely painful for your child. There is information on prenatal pain perception here:

http://www.advocatesfortheinnocent.com/fetalpain.html

Here are some interesting websites for people who have received a difficult prenatal diagnosis:

http://www.benotafraid.net/default.asp
http://www.prenatalpartnersforlife.org/index.htm

and a website listing some of the families waiting to adopt babies with Down Syndrome:

http://www.chask.org

Answer 4

Clearly you are thinking about it, and quite frankly it makes me very sad. If Ihad thought like you, I wouldn't have the most wonderful little boy. Yes, he has Down syndrome and I can't imagine life without him. He's a very "normal" little boy and no trouble at all.

Tell me something. Suppose you have a child with no problems whatsoever and, heaven forbid, something happens to that child at or after birth that causes some sort of developmental delay or physical handicap... you can't abort them then. This is your CHILD you are talking about. A child who, if allowed to, will grow up happy, healthy, and do things that most any other child will do. Don't kid yourself and think that you're doing the child a favor...this is strictly a decision based on not wanting a (what you consider to be) less-than-perfect child.

If you terminate this child, you will be missing out on a very precious gift indeed.

Answer 5

I was considering the same thing when I was pregnant with my daughter who now is three. They thought she might have downs syndrome and I had to do all of these extra tests, but luckily she turned out fine. But I think the latest you can have an abortion is 20 wks. depending on what state you live in though. If worse comes to worse, give the baby up for adoption. Good luck to you and your baby.

Answer 6

I am completely against abortion but I can't say what I would do if I found out I were having a child that would suffer like that. After your 20 weeks if your baby does have a problem you can get a D&E which is, they dilate your cervix and vacume the baby out! I would choose wisely because I'm not sure what I would do but I have 1 beautiful boy and another on the way and I can't imagine thinking 10 years down the road what my child looked like, acted like etc. if I did choose to get an abortion!

Answer 7

The doctors told my daughter they were concerned with something they spotted on her ultra sound and wanted her to have an amniocentisis to find out if the baby had Down's Syndrome.
When we got to the hospital, the specialists we spoke with said that she had more of a chance miscarrying due to the test than having a baby with Down's Syndrome, she decided against the test, thinking that what will be will be. I am so glad she decided against it, my wonderful, healthy grandson will be one year old in march! No Down's Syndrome either!

Answer 8

You're not evil for wondering, crazy enough, you wouldn't even be evil for getting an abortion for that reason. And don't listen to the judgmental ninnies here, they aren't in your position and they don't know what you're going through.

I think, legally, 24 weeks is the cut off for most elective abortions. Though different states have different laws, and different clinics will only go so far. And, the longer you wait the more complications there are.

Answer 9

My dear, I saw your other "question" and then found this one. In MOST states you can only have an abortion up to the end of the first trimester (so 3 months along). If after you find out IF the child has Downs, then discuss with your doctor what your options are. In some states you can get a later abortion for medical reasons.
It is OK to get an abortion. I've had one. DO NOT listen to what other's say. For the most part I believe these people have led sheltered lives and don't know what it feels like to know in your heart that you just cannot do it and know that a baby deserves better than what your options can allow.

Answer 10

Downs syndrome is not debilitating ,
You do not have to have an amniocentesis if you do not want..
I would advise not to because they are not accurate..I know several people who were told they would have a baby w/ downs
and the babies were perfect ....no Downs at all..
I personally chose not to have the test for all 4 of mine

Answer 11

You should contact your local Planned Parenthood and they can tell you...there are different laws in different states, so it depends on where you are. Most states allow abortions to be performed through the second trimester (up to 5 months).