Partial-birth abortion

Partial birth abortion (PBA) refers to most intact dilation and extraction (IDX) procedures where the fetus is alive at the time of the procedure — thus resulting in an abortion of the fetus. IDX procedures are also called dilation and extraction (D&X), intact dilation & evacuation (Intact D&E, or IDE), and Intrauterine Cranial Decompression (for the purposes of this article, IDX will be the term of choice). While the term "Partial Birth Abortion" largely refers to IDX procedures, in broader contexts the term is sometimes applied to dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedures. Though often performed during the same developmental stage wherein most D&X procedures are done, D&E is a separate and distinct procedure from IDX. A D&E procedure differs in that the fetus is killed during the process of dismemberment before leaving the womb, rather than being extracted intact.

Related Topics:
Intact dilation and extraction - Alive - Abortion - Dilation and evacuation - Dismemberment

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The IDX procedure can also be used in late-term miscarriage cases. Two of the most well-known abortion practitioners who perform the IDX procedure, Dr. Martin Haskell and Dr. Leroy Carhart, have confirmed that in most cases the fetus is alive when the abortion procedure begins. Although accurate statistics detailing the number of partial birth abortions performed annually in the United States are not available, the number is usually estimated in the low thousands, comprising a small fraction of annual abortion procedures in the United States. Although not a proper medical term, partial-birth abortion is commonly used in public discussion of the procedure. Partial-birth abortion has been a central issue in the greater abortion debate.

Related Topics:
Fetus - United States - Abortion debate

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~