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Abortion Ban Explained

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Everyone is talking about abortion and bans on abortion. And they all seem so angry. If you are like me, my tendency is not to run towards anger and violence. If anything, I want to duck my head and let it all pass by.

It reminds me of the story, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, where Lucy and her friends are sailing, and along the journey, they came to an island where nightmares came true. They tried to sail away, but no matter how far they sailed, they could not escape the horrific darkness. It feels like that right now. Darkness. Confusion. Fear of what is out there. Who is going to attack? A living nightmare.

quote of CS Lewis about courage when thinking on abortion bans


But when Lucy cried out to Aslan, the Christ figure of the book, she found hope. A light pierced the darkness, and an albatross miraculously appeared, leading them to safety. Like Lucy, we can also reach out for guidance, help, and understanding.

The abortion debate is coming our way. With Roe v. Wade overturned, the decision on an abortion ban goes back to each state. It is now a question that every citizen will get a chance to vote on in response. And this is not something we have to avoid. If we understand what has happened, the thoughts behind the current abortion bans and what our beliefs from God’s Word are, we will find the light to navigate our way through. And hopefully, help our neighbor as well. Here is some of the history and thoughts regarding previous and current abortion bans.

History: Abortion Bans in the US​


Abortion became legal nationally with the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. The interesting part of Roe v. Wade is that it ruled in favor of both abortion and abortion restrictions. Doesn’t that seem in conflict? The justices stated they wanted to protect the privacy of a woman’s choice for abortion while also recognizing the “important and legitimate interest in protecting the potentiality of human life.” Therefore, they said the state might regulate or prohibit abortions entirely once the fetus reaches the point of viability. The general exceptions are cases where the mother’s life is at risk, rape or incest.

The Supreme Court recognized the need to protect life. Therefore, abortion could be banned and was banned by many states at the point of viability. That begs the question – when is the point of viability? At the time of Roe v. Wade, viability, the point at which the baby could live outside the womb, was 24-28 weeks. This is typically associated with the third trimester. However, science has since advanced. Babies can now live outside of the womb at 21 weeks. Guinness World Record recorded that Curtis was the youngest baby delivered at the gestational age of 21 weeks one day. That was over a year ago, and Curtis is doing well. This means that the line of viability has advanced alongside modern medicine.

Timeline of developing baby as states consider an abortion ban

20-Week Ban - Pain Capable Ban​


Besides viability, other factors were examined to determine the best time for an abortion ban. As science progressed with ultrasound technology and fetal surgery, new findings indicated that babies could feel pain in the womb. This became a new demarcation line of where to ban abortions in several states, especially as the method of a D&E abortion is quite violent. (D&E is the abortion process between 13-24 weeks. Warning: Video about 2nd Trimester Surgical Abortion aka D&E, may be disturbing.) To be fair, fetal pain is a debated topic. Some argue it is not possible. Yet, twenty-three states felt the science of fetal pain was sufficient to put a 20-week ban in place. And there is evidence to suggest that preborn babies can feel pain much earlier than we initially assumed. Here is more information:


Doctor’s Thoughts on Fetal Pain:

Pain capable abortion bans often start at the 5 month or 20 week gestation age of preborns

20-Week Baby

Fact Sheets:

15-Week Abortion Ban – Mississippi Abortion Ban​


Mississippi is one of two states to work on a 15-week limit for abortion. This resulted in the court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This case is the reason for Roe v. Wade getting overturned.

The thought behind 15 weeks is that it does not cause women an “undue” burden to determine their pregnancy and then seek an abortion within 15 weeks. It also aims to protect women from the D&E evacuation procedures called “barbaric,” “dangerous for the mother and demeaning to the medical professional” by the State of Mississippi.

Mississippi abortion ban is based on 15 week gestation age of preborn

15-Week Baby

(Keep in mind that successful surgeries have been performed on babies as young as 14 weeks. See 15 Facts at 15 weeks.)

Scientific videos of the developing baby.

6-Week Abortion Ban – Texas Heartbeat Bill​


Texas made a lot of news coverage when they passed a ban on abortion after a heartbeat was detected. Around the six-to-eight-week gestational age, the preborn’s heart beats at approximately 98 beats per minute and can be picked up by ultrasound. The heartbeat is seen as a regular flutter on the ultrasound. For more information, check out:

abortion ban looks at a 6-week baby

6-Week Baby

Fertilization​


Oklahoma was the first state to prohibit abortion after fertilization. This means that all abortions are banned, except for cases of incest, rape or to save the mother’s life. And all of the previous abortion bans mentioned have one problem in common. The gestational age of the fetus. It can be hard for the woman to know how far along she is. That is why some use gestational age while others like to calculate after the last menstrual period (LMP). However, either method can be slightly off, which matters if you are looking at an abortion ban within a specific time frame.

Therefore, some thought it is easiest to start at the beginning. Life begins at fertilization. Once the sperm and egg come together, they create a totally unique person who is genetically distinct from the mother and the father. The human embryo develops and grows, but they are already human. Interestingly, scientists have discovered that when an egg and sperm come together, there is a burst of light, a firework of zinc. One might say that is the spark of life. Also, consider in vitro fertilization. In 2018, a couple fought over frozen embryos. They both saw life represented in the embryos even though they differed on what should be done with that life.

Summary Chart of Abortion Bans:

Image of growing fetus when considering abortion bans

Summary-Chart.jpg


(For more information, Live Action has put together a series of videos, “What is abortion?” that explain the different types of abortion with medical doctors. WARNING – Abortion is the taking of life. Videos are graphic and disturbing.)

When Do Abortions Happen?​


According to the CDC, here is the breakdown of when abortions happen:

  • 93% of abortions happen at 13 weeks or earlier.
  • 6% of abortions happen at 14-20 weeks.
  • 1% of abortions happen at or after 21 weeks of gestation.

Also, it is helpful to look at international bans on abortion. 75% of countries that allow elective abortion limit abortions at or before 12 weeks. Some nations allow abortion up to 20 weeks. Only seven countries: Canada, China, North Korea, Vietnam and parts of the United States, allow for abortion at any time.

What Will Your State Decide?​


Interestingly, despite the loud protests, 71% of Americans support legal restrictions on abortion. Many believe that a ban at some point on abortion makes sense. Where does your state fall? This map shows where each state stands or is expected to stand.

There is nothing wrong with voicing your opinion on when an abortion ban should happen. You are part of the state. And we all, as part of the human race, have an interest in what happens to our citizens, including those who have yet to be born.

Image of 9 month old when considering abortion bans

37-Week Baby

Yet, it does take courage to navigate these tumultuous waters and voice an opinion. It can feel like the darkness will never end. I understand the desire to avoid this, to sit this one out, to go along and get along. Yet, this matters. And like Lucy, we can cry out for wisdom. God promises to provide insight when we seek Him (James 1:5.) Not only does the Lord give wisdom, but He also gives help and courage. Together, like Lucy and her friends on the Dawn Treader, if we hold fast and work together, we will see the end of the darkness.

“In a few moments the darkness turned into a greyness ahead, and then, almost before they dared to begin hoping, they had shot out into the sunlight and were in the warm, blue world again. And all at once everybody realized that there was nothing to be afraid of and never had been.”

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis Tweet
Courage, dear heart quote when talking about abortion bans


For further investigation:


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