Abortion
International research shows that women with unintended pregnancies in all countries
use abortion to attain their childbearing goals, regardless of its legal status. In
the U.S., half of women will experience an unintended pregnancy by age 45, and
about three in 10 will have an abortion by age Unlike the situation in
countries where abortion is illegal, abortion in the U.S. is legal and quite safe.

Although restrictive state laws make it increasingly difficult to obtain an abortion
in some places, the approximately 860,000 abortions performed in the U.S. each
year entail very little risk to health. By reducing rates of unintended pregnancies,
family planning also reduces the need for abortion, and in settings where abortion is
unsafe, family planning also reduces the risks of unsafe abortion.

Almost 90% of abortions are carried out with a pregnancy duration of 13 weeks
or less.51 Whether performed with aspiration or medication, abortion is extremely
safe, entailing about the same risks as a miscarriage and far fewer risks than continuing
a pregnancy. For abortions carried out before 13 weeks, only 1% to 4% of
women experience a minor complication, and only 5 in 10,000 experience a major
complication. The risk of maternal death is minuscule and increases with higher
gestational ages, ranging from 1 per 1,000,000 procedures for abortions carried out
at eight weeks or earlier, 4 per 1,000,000 for procedures at 11 to 12 weeks, and 34
per 1,000,000 at 16 to 20 weeks.
This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel.