Intact dilation and extraction

Intact dilation and extraction (IDX or Intact D&X), is a specific type of medical procedure —wherin a late-term fetus, is removed from the womb via the cervix (this includes miscarried and, rarely, viable fetuses). In the case of a miscarriage it is used to remove a deceased fetus that is developed enough to require dilation of the cervix for extraction.

Related Topics:
Fetus - Dilation

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The practice is highly controversial, because of its limited use for the abortion of a late-term fetus —ostensibly in cases where the health of the mother is threatened by carrying it to term.

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The controversial term partial-birth abortion refers to only a small subsection of IDX cases, and in that sense is a particularly objectionable example of abortion —used as an illustration and point of protest in the greater context of the abortion debate. In such use, the procedure has an extremely low rate of usage.

Related Topics:
Partial-birth abortion - Abortion - Abortion debate

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