ABORTION:
Is it an answer?

Do you have all the facts?

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be extremely stressful. It is important to remember that in any situation of an unwanted pregnancy, there are two lives to consider: the life of the pregnant mother and the life of the unborn baby. The decision you make in the early months of your pregnancy will affect both of you forever. Don’t rush to make a decision until you have considered all the options. What follows are some common questions most often asked by those faced with the challenge of an unplanned pregnancy and some answers to consider as you make this important decision.

Note: Please be aware that some of the following pages contain information that may not be suitable for young children. An effort has been made to present this information in the most sensitive yet factual way possible.

Q. What is the first thing I should do when I find out I am pregnant?
A. The first thing you should do once you have been tested and found to be pregnant is to tell someone about your pregnancy. Think carefully about whom you will tell.

The logical place to begin, of course, is with your partner and parents, as difficult as that may be. Your partner may not understand. Parents may become violently angry, but that is often because parents tend to blame themselves when things like this happen. Your pregnancy is a crisis in their lives as well as yours. They may react angrily, but allow them time to think it through and offer their advice.

You may also want to consider sharing your situation with a responsible adult like an aunt, school counselor or older neighbor. If you are involved in a church, talk to one of the spiritual leaders. Many of them are trained to counsel in a crisis situation and can offer you hope, help and words of healing.

At the end of this Web site you will find names of people and places where you can receive guidance as you make your decision. The value of going to a trained counselor or social worker is that they can be objective and help you deal with negative feelings like guilt, anger, betrayal and frustration. They can also help you consider the important issues regarding your future and how to prepare for it.

Q. If you are a young man who has impregnated a girl, what are your responsibilities?
A. The girl is almost always blamed for any sexual promiscuity and yet “it takes two to tango”. As a young man who is sexually active, you have to take responsibility for your actions, especially if you have impregnated a girl out of wedlock. Any amount of guilt or shame that is laid on the young girl must also be apportioned to you as well. In practical terms, if the girl has to drop out of school, so should you. If the girl is publicly identified, your name should be mentioned. In many cases, once the pregnancy is visible, the girl is often labeled, chastised and treated differently. The same treatment should extend to you as well because of your part in the problem. As a young man, think hard about your responsibility to do the right thing and help her through the very difficult decisions about the pregnancy, delivery and future options for your baby. Also, don’t run away from your need to be financially responsible in handling whatever costs may be a part of the solution. You may not be ready to be a father and she may not be ready to be a mother, but you both are parents now. Together, work through these issues and decide what is best for all of you.

Q. My friends say having an abortion is the easiest option. What actually happens during an abortion?
A. Abortion is the removal of the fetus or unborn baby from the womb before it’s time for delivery. Some of the more common methods used to terminate pregnancy are described below:

Chemical Abortions: One of the most common types of abortions used by untrained medical practitioners is chemical abortions. Chemical abortions are abortions caused by the utilization of medicines, for example potassium permanganate tablets, poisons and other household substances in quantities likely to cause death to the unborn baby and very often also to the mother. This is by far the most dangerous method both for you and the unborn baby because it is illegal and life threatening.

The Suction Aspiration Method: This method of abortion is used during the first three months of pregnancy. In this method an instrument called a dilator is used to stretch open the cervix (mouth of the womb). A powerful suction tube is inserted in the womb. When suction is applied, the cells of the developing baby are torn apart and sucked from the womb along with the placenta, into a holding container for disposal. This is the most common method of abortion. Unfortunately, this method is also very dangerous because it often causes tearing of the womb, which can lead to more bleeding and possibly death.

The Dilation and Curettage (D&C): This method is another common method of abortion used at the end of the third month of pregnancy. The cervix is dilated, ring forceps are inserted into the womb and the baby is extracted piece by piece. Then a loop-shaped knife (curette) is inserted to scrape away any of the baby or the placenta that remains. This method is also very dangerous for the mother as profuse bleeding follows.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): This method of abortion is used from the fourth to sixth month (after 13 weeks) of pregnancy. In this method, the cervix (mouth of the womb) is stretched open. Then, the unborn child is dismembered with pliers-like forceps. Force is needed to pull the baby apart. The instrument is used to seize a leg or other part of the body and then, with a twisting motion, tear it from the baby’s body. The baby’s spine is snapped and the skull crushed. After the baby parts are removed, they are reassembled outside the womb to make sure that all parts have been removed. Often baby parts are left inside the mother’s womb. This can cause serious complications and sometimes death to the mother.

Saline Solution (Saline amniocentesis): This is a chemically induced abortion used usually after 16 weeks. In this method, a concentrated salt solution is injected into the sac and amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. The baby inhales and swallows it, and dies one or two hours later of acute salt poisoning and dehydration. The mother then delivers a dead or dying, burned baby 24 to 48 hours later. This method is on the decline because of dangers to the mother and also because sometimes the baby does survive.

Prostaglandin Abortion: This is another chemically induced method of abortion used usually after the 5th to 8th month of pregnancy. Prostaglandin is a hormone that induces labor. This hormone is injected into the amniotic sac to induce premature labor and delivery of a dead baby. Sometimes poisonous salts are injected with the prostaglandin to prevent a live birth.

Partial-Birth: This abortion process is used from the 4th month through to the 9th month of pregnancy. In this operation, an ultra sound is used to locate the baby’s legs, and then forceps are used to pull the legs through the birth canal, delivering the baby feet first. Scissors are then used to puncture the base of the baby’s head.
A suction device is then used to suck out the baby’s brain, so that the skull will easily collapse. The dead baby is then removed.

Q. What are some possible consequences or effects of abortion?
A. With every abortion there are possible immediate and late complications that can arise. In addition, there are mental and emotional disturbances that occur as well.

Immediate physical effects: Some of the possible immediate physical complications of an abortion are intense pain, excessive bleeding and sometimes deposits of ovular debris cause infections. Cervical-vaginal sores can result from the utilization of potassium permanganate tablets, and perforation of the uterus caused by curetting is also a potential problem. Shock, coma and death may also result immediately following an attempted abortion.

Long term physical consequences: Long term consequences of a serious nature can follow an abortion including the inability to become pregnant, recurring miscarriages or stillbirths, and increased risk of breast cancer.

Emotional effects: The most common consequences of an abortion, however, are long-term mental and emotional disturbances. After an abortion, many women are likely to experience profound guilt, depression, crying, and the inability to forgive oneself. These are some of the symptoms of what is often called the post abortion syndrome.

Post abortion syndrome (PAS): Post abortion syndrome is a term used to describe a woman’s inability to:
(1) process the fear, anger, sadness and guilt surrounding her abortion experience, (2) grieve the loss of her baby, and (3) come to peace with God, herself and others involved in the abortion decision.

Many women who experience the post abortion syndrome suffer intense grief and sadness and desire to get pregnant again. They are also likely to experience emotional numbness, sexual problems, lowered self-esteem, nightmares, a rise in drug and alcohol abuse and suicidal urges.

It is normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion. Many women who have had an abortion are told that an abortion is no different from any other surgical procedure, so when women experience some of these symptoms in their grief and loss they think their grief is abnormal. If you or someone you know is grieving after having an abortion, don’t keep it to yourself, seek help. Healing is possible. Contact one of the relevant organizations listed under Community Contacts.

Q. What are my options if I choose not to have an abortion?
A. The more safe and rewarding choice for you is to choose to allow the baby to live. Making the choice to allow the baby to live, is the same choice your mother made when she was expecting you and it was a wise choice! Having made this choice, however, means that there will be some real challenges ahead. You can choose to keep your baby or release your child for adoption and care.

You can choose to keep your baby and marry the father: A marriage created by an unexpected pregnancy is built on a weak foundation. However, with God’s help, starting a family foundation after the pregnancy is closer to God’s plan than for the child to be raised without a father. Your marriage will most likely have hard times and there will be many difficult decisions to make early on in your marriage. But overall, having a father in the family is a tremendous blessing to both mother and child. Making the decision to marry is one very godly way to correct a bad situation.

You can choose to keep your baby and stay single: If you, as the mother, choose to keep your baby and remain single, there are several things you will have to settle regarding your pregnancy.

If you are currently a student and you can continue to live with your parents or an understanding relative or friend, you will need to work out your school situation. Realize that you will be delayed from pursuing your education for at least two years. In most schools you can enroll as an independent student and in some you are allowed to attend class until you are due for delivery. Try to work out arrangements with your parents or church to sponsor you through this period and commit yourself to pay back or contribute what you are able to once you are able to support yourself. Remember, this is your baby, not your parent’s baby or your grandmother’s baby, nor the church’s baby. Treat those who choose to help you through this challenging process with great respect and cooperation. It is advised that you do not throw away your educational plans or career dreams. Just realize that some things may take longer than you anticipated. You will need your education to help support your child.

Being a single parent is challenging but not impossible. In order to help you understand the realities of single parenting, you should visit a crisis pregnancy centre near you. Try to join single parent groups in a local church. By listening to others share their joys, problems and feelings you can gain a better perspective on single parenting. Other mothers may present ideas, problems or possibilities you had not previously considered.

If you want to keep your baby and need guidance to meet your specific needs, help is available. To find out who to call for guidance and counseling, consult the listing below under Community Contacts. Their many years of experience will help them to provide practical advice in counseling women who are young, pregnant and unmarried.

You can choose to release your child for adoption: The decision to release your child for adoption is a tough alternative to consider and obtaining complete information about adoption is extremely important. Adoption is a way of providing a child with new legal parents. It ends the legal relationship between the child and his or her natural parents and establishes a new one with the adoptive parents. Adoptions are arranged by adoption agencies but are made legally binding by the courts. Once granted, an adoption order is final and cannot be revoked. The registered agencies that can help you with adoption employ social workers that will be able to talk to you about adoption and explain the process before you make up your mind. If you decide that adoption is right for your baby, the adoption agency will help you find suitable parents who can care for your child. A partial list of organizations which can assist you in the adoption process or offer you relevant help are included below in Community Contacts.

None of these decisions you will need to make are easy. Any decision you make will require a sacrifice. It will help to think through these issues with a trained adult. Most institutions, crisis pregnancy centers and counseling clinics listed in the section of Community Contacts will gladly take time to help you resolve some of these issues and others which may be specific to your case. At these centers you will find people who care about your well-being and that of your baby.

Q. What are the spiritual considerations of abortion?
A. The decision to abort is really a decision about the value of human life. What makes a human being valuable? Who should determine whether a human being has a right to live? Why should one value life? Some don’t realize how precious life is until after they have risked losing their own life in the process and the life of their baby as well. The unborn are precious because it is God who made them and not we ourselves. (Psalm 100:3) (Genesis 1:27) (Colossians 1:16). All life belongs to God.

God knew you even before you were born. His hands shaped you and formed you skillfully for His purpose. (Job 10:8-12) (Psalm 139:13-16) (Isaiah 49:1) (Ephesians 1:3-4.) Your life and the life of your unborn child is precious, not because the world or people consider you valuable or beneficial, but because God considers you precious. God created you and has a wonderful and specific role for you to play in society. (Ephesians 2:10) Remember, God created life and God alone has the right to take life. (1Samuel 2:6) (Ezekiel 18:4)
Fear clouds our judgment. It often leads us to make decisions we later regret. Information helps us make good decisions. For those who are facing the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy, or for those who know someone who is in this crisis, the resources listed below in Community Contacts can be contacted for help in knowing about alternative courses of action to avoid the consequences of an abortion.

Make a Difference!

Women who have had abortions have to deal with a lot of painful repercussions which hinder them from living a normal and happy life. Abortion may seem like the ‘solution’ to the ‘problem’ but it may cost you a lifetime of pain. Pregnancy is only for a season, it is hard work, but at the end of the day you reap fruits of joy. Give your unborn baby the greatest gift … a chance to live.

Your choice to give another human being a chance at life is in keeping with God’s plan. You might believe your pregnancy is a stumbling block, an obstacle. But God desires to turn your experience into a stepping stone towards Him. It is true that you are never going to be the same person you were before pregnancy. God knows those changes are frightening, but He wants you to know He will travel the road right beside you. And even if you’ve had an abortion, God can understand and give you forgiveness and healing. Remember, your future may be changed, but it is not ruined! Choose life…make a difference!

Resources
Amani Counseling Centre and Training Institute. Help at hand [Brochure]. P.O. Box 41738 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-602672/3 or 254-722-626590.
E-mail: accti@africaonline.co.ke

Christian Medical Fellowship, P.O Box 20954 Nairobi 00202 Tel: 2710768 or Email: admin@cmfkenya.org or Website: www.cmfkenya.org

Dr. (Mrs) Jean W. Kagia of Protecting Life Movement Tel: 342844/5 or Email: kagia@africaonline.co.ke

 

Child Welfare Society of Kenya. Children of today are an investment of tomorrow [Brochure]. P.O. Box 43982, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-605854
E-mail: cwsk@nbi.ispkenya.com (CWSK has 21 branches countrywide)

Crisis Pregnancy Ministries. I am worth the wait…..Sex is worth the wait [Brochure]. P.O. Box 66633 Nairobi, 00800 Kenya. Tel: 254-2-4445997. E-mail: cpmk@yfcafrica.org

Crisis Pregnancy Ministries. Men and abortion [Brochure]. P.O. Box 66633 Nairobi, 00800 Kenya. Tel: 254-2-4445997. E-mail: cpmk@yfcafrica.org

Focus on the Family. (1993). Abortion: A moral outrage [Brochure]. Dobson, J: Author.

Focus on the Family. (1993). Help for Pregnant Teens [Brochure]. Roggow, L. and Owens, C: Authors.

Focus on the Family. (1992, 1993). Identifying and overcoming post-abortion syndrome [Brochure]. Reisser, T.K. and Reisser, P.C: Authors.

Focus on the Family. (1992). The decision of life [Brochure]. Dobson, J: Author.

Pro-Life America. www.prolife.com

Lovematters.com. www.lovematters.com

International Bible Society. (1973, 1978, 1984). New International Version. World Bible Society Publishers.

Lifespring Counseling Centre. [Brochure]. P.O. Box 42905 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-723237. E-mail: june@africaonline.co.ke

New Life Home Trust. Caring with compassion [Brochure]. P.O. Box 25341 Nairobi, 00603 Kenya Tel: 254-2-564743/569514. E-mail: newlifehome@insightkenya.com
Web site: www.newlifehometrust.org

Oasis Counseling Centre and Training Institute. Guided to the springs of living water
(Revelations 7:17) [Brochure]. P.O. Box 76117 Ufungamano House, 5th Floor Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-715023/721157/726494. E-mail: oasiscc@maf.or.ke

Thomas Barnado House. Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed; rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked [Brochure]. P.O. Box 44261 Nairobi, 00100 Kenya. Tel: 254-2-501629/30 or 254-722-830901. E-mail: collinsfam@todays.co.ke Web site: www.living.water.org

Wholistic Caring and Counseling Centre. Reducing ignorance by educating women [Brochure]. P.O. Box 975 Ruiru, Kenya. Tel: 254-722-73931.

The Nairobi Womens Hospital. Commitment to Women's healthcare.
Dr. Sam Thenya, Chief Executive.
Hurlingham Medicare Plaza, Arwings Khodek Road, P.O.Box 10552-00100, Nairobi, KENYA, cell:0722-520858, 0733-918226, Tel:2712886/ 724802, 2726821 /4 /6 /7, Fax:716651, Email:info@nairobiwomenshospital.org

Medicare Wellness Center(s) LTD. Dr. Paul Wangai Jr., Director
Medical Clinics, Post Bank House, 3rd Floor & Aga Khan Hospital, Drs Plaza, Ground Floor, Rm. 15, P.O.Box 62610, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 220787 / 339031 / (3749991 / 3742113 Afternoons) Email: pmwangi@compuserve.com

Community Contacts

Counseling and guidance on unplanned pregnancy and Post Abortion Syndrome (Back)

Amani Counseling Centre and Training Institute. P.O. Box 41738 Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: 254-2-602672/3 or 254-722-626590. E-mail: accti@africaonline.co.ke

Crisis Pregnancy Ministries. P.O. Box 66633 Nairobi, 00800 Kenya. Tel: 254-2-4445997.
E-mail: cpmk@yfcafrica.org

Lifespring Counseling Centre. P.O. Box 42905 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-723237.
E-mail: accti@africaonline.co.ke

Oasis Counseling Centre and Training Institute. P.O. Box 76117 Ufungamano House, 5th Floor Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-715023/721157/726494. E-mail: oasiscc@maf.or.ke

Wholistic Caring and Counseling Centre. P.O. Box 975 Ruiru, Kenya. Tel: 254-722-73931.

The Nairobi Womens Hospital. Commitment to Women's healthcare.
Dr. Sam Thenya, Chief Executive.
Hurlingham Medicare Plaza, Arwings Khodek Road, P.O.Box 10552-00100, Nairobi, KENYA, cell:0722-520858, 0733-918226, Tel:2712886/ 724802, 2726821 /4 /6 /7, Fax:716651, Email:info@nairobiwomenshospital.org

Medicare Wellness Center(s) LTD. Dr. Paul Wangai Jr., Director
Medical Clinics, Post Bank House, 3rd Floor & Aga Khan Hospital, Drs Plaza, Ground Floor, Rm. 15, P.O.Box 62610, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 220787 / 339031 / (3749991 / 3742113 Afternoons) Email: pmwangi@compuserve.com

Information on abortion methods, Post Abortion Syndrome and other consequences of abortion (Back)

Amani Counseling Centre and Training Institute. P.O. Box 41738 Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: 254-2-602672/3 or 254-722-626590. E-mail: accti@africaonline.co.ke

Crisis Pregnancy Ministries. P.O. Box 66633 Nairobi, 00800 Kenya. Tel: 254-2-4445997.
E-mail: cpmk@yfcafrica.org

Lifespring Counseling Centre. P.O. Box 42905 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-723237.
E-mail: accti@africaonline.co.ke

Oasis Counseling Centre and Training Institute. P.O. Box 76117 Ufungamano House, 5th Floor Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-715023/721157/726494. E-mail: oasiscc@maf.or.ke

Wholistic Caring and Counseling Centre. P.O. Box 975 Ruiru, Kenya. Tel: 254-722-73931.

The Nairobi Womens Hospital. Commitment to Women's healthcare.
Dr. Sam Thenya, Chief Executive.
Hurlingham Medicare Plaza, Arwings Khodek Road, P.O.Box 10552-00100, Nairobi, KENYA, cell:0722-520858, 0733-918226, Tel:2712886/ 724802, 2726821 /4 /6 /7, Fax:716651, Email:info@nairobiwomenshospital.org

Medicare Wellness Center(s) LTD. Dr. Paul Wangai Jr., Director
Medical Clinics, Post Bank House, 3rd Floor & Aga Khan Hospital, Drs Plaza, Ground Floor, Rm. 15, P.O.Box 62610, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 220787 / 339031 / (3749991 / 3742113 Afternoons) Email: pmwangi@compuserve.com

For information on adoption (Back)

Child Welfare Society of Kenya. P.O. Box 43982, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-2-605854.
E-mail: cwsk@nbi.ispkenya.com (CWSK has 21 branches countrywide)

New Life Home Trust. P.O. Box 25341 Nairobi, 00603 Kenya. Tel: 254-2-564743/569514. E-mail: newlifehome@insightkenya.com Web site: www.newlifehometrust.org

Thomas Barnado House. P. O. Box 44261 Nairobi, 00100 Kenya. Tel: 254-2-501629/30 or 254-722-830901. E-mail: collinsfam@todays.co.ke
Web site: www.living.water.org

Disclaimer
All information on this web site, compiled by Good News Productions International-Africa, is presented for informational purposes only. It is not to be used to provide specific medical advice nor to offer a medical diagnosis for any particular condition described. Readers and patients should always consult their physician to discuss any specific symptoms, conditions, or modes of therapy for any particular mental or physical difficulty, disease or condition. Furthermore, the listings of resources presented should not be considered as an endorsement or recommendation by GNPI-Africa for any of the organizations, medical practitioners, web sites, or other materials mentioned, nor does inclusion of such information imply the authenticity of the information which is subsequently contained in this website.

Back to Top


 

© 2003 by Good News Productions International - Africa
For more information write to: info@makeadif.com