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.

External links

Legislation, Testimony, and Court Decisions

• Appeals court upholds Ohio "partial-birth abortion" law (AMANews article) : 19 January 2004.
• Appeals Court decision in Haskell v. Taft, upholding Ohio PBA Ban : (decided 17 December 2003) Includes description of the procedure, Decision of the Court, and Dissenting opinion
• Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, signed by President Bush in March, 2003
• Ohio law banning "partial birth feticide" : enacted 18 August 2000.
• Stenberg v. Carhart Decision voiding Nebraska's PBA ban, circa 2000
• HR 1833, vetoed by President Clinton in 1996
• Congressional Testimony of Brenda Pratt Shafer, RN, March 21, 1996

Commentary

• Ban Wagons - Reason Magazine article about the politically motivated naming of "partial birth abortion"
• The Myth of Partial Birth Abortion, by Don Sloan, MD
• Partial-Birth Abortion - A Chink In The Pro-Abortion Armor
• The "Partial-Birth" Myth - No, it's not a birth
• (JAMA. 1998;280:744-747) Rationale for Banning Abortions Late in Pregnancy, by M. LeRoy Sprang, MD & Mark G. Neerhof, DO

Interest Groups

• American Civil Liberties Union on Partial Birth Abortion
• Human Life International
• LifeNews.com (Pro-life news site)
• National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL)
• National Right to Life Partial Birth Abortion Resources
• Planned Parenthood
• Prayer for Life
• Priests For Life
• The ProChoice Resource Center on Partial Birth Abortion
• Pro-Life Action
• Pro-Life Campaign Committee
• Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Other

• First known description of partial-birth abortion (Martin Haskell's 1992 monograph, which called the procedure "Dilation and Extraction")
• Fetal development timeline (from National Right to Life)
• A Pediatrician Looks at Babies Late in Pregnancy and Late Term Abortion Very comprehensive