Abortion

Abortion, the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it has reached the

stage of viability (in human beings, usually about the 20th week of gestation).

An abortion may occur spontaneously, in which case it is also called a

miscarriage, or it may be brought on purposefully, in which case it is often

called an induced abortion.

Spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages, occur for many reasons, including

disease, trauma, genetic defect, or biochemical incompatibility of mother and

fetus. Occasionally a fetus dies in the uterus but fails to be expelled, a

condition termed a missed abortion.

Induced abortions may be performed for reasons that fall into four general

categories: to preserve the life or physical or mental well-being of the mother;

to prevent the completion of a pregnancy that has resulted from rape or incest;

to prevent the birth of a child with serious deformity, mental deficiency, or

genetic abnormality; or to prevent a birth for social or economic reasons (such

as the extreme youth of the pregnant female or the sorely strained resources

of the family unit). By some definitions, abortions that are performed to

preserve the well-being of the female or in cases of rape or incest are

therapeutic, or justifiable, abortions. From 12 to 19 weeks the injection of a

saline solution may be used to trigger uterine contractions; alternatively, the

administration of prostaglandins by injection, suppository, or other method

may be used to induce contractions, but these substances may cause severe

side effects. Hysterotomy, the surgical removal of the uterine contents, may

be used during the second trimester or later. In general, the more advanced

the pregnancy, the greater the risk to the female of mortality or serious

complications following an abortion.

In Mexico, the Supreme Court declared in 2021 that abortion can no longer be

considered a crime. Now no one can be jailed for having an abortion. While

the ruling was specific to the state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, this law

affects people across the country. Officials must abide by the ruling and

update their laws accordingly. In addition, the court put limits on conscientious

objection as a reason not to provide abortion services in government health

facilities, making legal abortion easier to access. And a recent wave of

Mexican states have lifted local restrictions on abortion, and it is now legal in

Mexico City, Oaxaca, Coahuila, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Colima, Baja California,

Baja California Sur,Sinaloa, and Guerrero.

According to the 2021 reforms to the Penal Code, in articles 138, 139, 140,

141 and 142, when the pregnancy is the result of sexual violence, abortion is

legal throughout the country, and public health institutions have the obligation

to provide medical abortion services.

The pro-choice and pro-life labels are confusing for a reason: They force

people into just two boxes for all their religious, moral, political, and practical

beliefs on abortion. Still, a lot of people use these labels (like your fam).

Below, we’ll nail down what most people intend when they say “pro-life” and

“pro-choice,” plus our suggestions for better words to use when describing

your views on abortion.

Generally, people who identify as pro-choice believe that everyone has the

basic human right to decide when and whether to have children. When you

say you’re pro-choice you’re telling people that you believe it’s OK for them to

have the ability to choose abortion as an option for an unplanned pregnancy

— even if you wouldn’t choose abortion for yourself.

People who oppose abortion often call themselves pro-life. However, the only

life many of them are concerned with is the life of the fertilized egg, embryo, or

fetus.

The black-and-white labels of “pro-life” and “pro-choice” pit people against

each other, as if they’re on two different teams. But we agree more than we

disagree: A majority of Americans believe abortion should be legal, and they

support the right to access abortion.

Pro-Reproductive Rights

When you say that you support reproductive rights, that means you support

laws that allow people to access the full range of reproductive health care —

including safe, legal abortion

Anti-Abortion

Using the term “anti-abortion” is a more accurate way to describe people who

want abortion to be illegal. Many anti-abortion people don’t believe that

pregnant people should be able to choose abortion under any circumstances,

even if their pregnancy is a result of rape or if carrying the pregnancy to term

puts their life in danger.

“Pro-choice” and “pro-life” labels don’t reflect the complexity of how most

people actually think and feel about abortion. Instead of putting people in one

category or another, we should respect the real-life decisions people and their

families face every day.

Decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or continue a

pregnancy should be made by a pregnant person with the counsel of their

family, their faith, and their health care provider. Politicians should not be

involved in anyone’s personal medical decisions about their reproductive

health or pregnancy.

For me it is a very important issue that should be addressed more, because

this affects many women who do not want to have their baby, because they do

not feel ready, do not have the economic stability or also because they do not

feel comfortable because they were raped and that is the fruit of rape, I am

very happy that you can do an abortion in case of rape, but anyone can have

an abortion, because every woman has the authority over her own body and

can make their own decisions.

It is important that others give their opinion so that action can be taken and

people can be informed.

References:

Can you explain what pro-choice means and pro-life means? (s/f). Plannedparenthood.org. Recuperado el 15 de febrero de 2024, de https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/can-you-explain-what-pro-choice-means-and-pro-life-means

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2024). abortion. En Encyclopedia Britannica.

(S/f). Plannedparenthood.org. Recuperado el 15 de febrero de 2024, de https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/can-you-explain