The late Dr. Barnard Nathanson, abortionist turned pro-life activist, discussed how terms used to describe the unborn baby change based on whether they are a target for abortion or not. Obviously, no one throws “fetus” showers.
“We have moved into a gray world where we change our labels by intent. If the doctor wants to kill off [the unborn baby] (being sure to use the most deadly technique) then [the fetus] becomes an “abortus.” If he wants to preserve it, it is an “immature” or “premature.” In late abortions, if he wants it to die, the operation it is labeled a “hysterotomy”; if he wanted to live, it becomes a “cesarean section.”
Bernard N Nathanson, M.D. with Richard N Ostling. Aborting America (Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, 1979)276
A hysterotomy, by the way, is a little used abortion procedure where the mother’s womb is cut open and the baby is removed and allowed to die from prematurity (or sometimes killed by direct action)
Is this 14 week old unborn a wanted “baby” or an unwanted “fetus?”Share on Facebook
Late term abortionist Warren Hern on why his patients have abortions:
“At times, medical considerations enter into the picture, but decisions are usually made on the basis of such factors as desire or lack of desire for parenthood, stability of relationships, educational status, emotional status, or economic status, among others.”
Warren Hern Abortion Practice (Philadelphia: J Lippincott, 1990) 39
Magda Denes, a pro-choice woman who spent time observing doctors and clinic workers in an abortion facility, spoke about a doctor who attempted to kill a woman’s baby with a saline injection, and when the injection failed, took a fetal heart monitor and amplified the baby’s heartbeat, forcing the woman to listen to the heartbeat of the baby they were about to kill. From the author:
“That’s it,” he cries triumphantly, “that’s it – the induction didn’t work. Sturdy fellow you have in there, eh?” He gives a loud guffaw, and his broad obscene wink darkens the room.”
Magda Denes, PhD. In Necessity and Sorrow: Life and Death in an Abortion Hospital (New York: Basic Books inc 1976) 134
Baby aborted by saline – a procedure (seldom used today) in which the woman’s uterus is injected with a caustic saline solution which poisons and burns the baby
“No other medical treatments involve so much potential guilt and regret as the decision to have a child/not have a child….It’s more than treatment for yourself for cancer – it’s a lifetime commitment to another human being or the loss of the opportunity for that commitment.”
Carole Joffe Dispatches from the Abortion Wars: the Costs of Fanaticism to Doctors, Patients, and the Rest of Us (Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press, 2009) 127
Abortion clinic workers know that abortion is a traumatic choice to have to make. if abortion was simply the removal of a ball of cells, or a blob of tissue, instead of the killing of a baby like the one below, abortionists would not be so upset when women have repeat abortions.
Psychiatrist and abortionist Julius Fogel, who had performed over 20,000 abortions, said the following about abortion’s impact on women:
“I’ve had patients who had abortions a year or two ago, women who did the best thing at the time for themselves but it still bothers them. Many come in some are just mute, some hostile. Some burst out crying … There is no question in my mind that we are disturbing a life process. The trauma may sink into the unconscious and never surface in the woman’s lifetime … but a psychological price is paid. It may be alienation, it may be a pushing away from human warmth, perhaps a hardening of the maternal instinct. Something happens on the deeper levels of a woman’s consciousness when she destroys a pregnancy. I know that as a psychiatrist.”
Dr. Julius Fogel, quoted in Kathleen Kelly. “PAS, Professionals, and “Sorrow’s Reward.”” The Wanderer, April 13, 1989, page 2.
From Lydia, an administrator at an abortion clinic:
“Patients who have a wanted pregnancy and lose it, or choose abortions because of fetal anomalies, always call it “the baby.” It is a baby to them, developed or not… Some women never “connect” to the pregnancy… For them, it is nothing like a baby. It is just there, and they want it removed. They would hate the word “baby” and do not use it. Our job is to meet the woman where she is and provide her with accurate information. I do not feel it is my job to correct terminology as long as she has a thorough understanding of the facts.”
Carole Joffe Dispatches from the Abortion Wars: the Costs of Fanaticism to Doctors, Patients, and the Rest of Us (Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press, 2009) 128
And what is a “thorough understanding of the facts?” See here.
The book Aborting Planned Parenthood by Robert H. Ruff was written when pro-lifers found boxes of Planned Parenthood’s records in the trash. The book published many of these records (names of women were changed) Here are a few of the notes from Planned Parenthood counselors:
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23 weeks
Name: Angela R.
Patient Information: Divorced Catholic, one child. Not sure if she wants more. Used the Pill off and on for five years (obtained pill from Planned Parenthood) but the Pill made her nauseous. Presently using condoms; was using a condom when she got pregnant. Will continue to use foam and condoms after the abortion.
Before abortion: Tense, nervous, complaining. Cried.
During abortion: Mild pain.
After abortion: Walked, cried.
8 weeks
Observations: Would not relax at all- Dr. W. very patient- Angela cried and jumped around- had more mental anguish than any physical reactions- could it be Catholic feelings? She wanted to stop for a minute right when Dr. W inserted the cannula but Dr. W said he couldn’t wait. Angela got dressed, she cried and complained unjustly about Dr. W. being rude and impatient. He was never rude. She was just taking out her feelings on the doctor. I explained why he proceeded with VPT [Voluntary Pregnancy Termination a.ka. an abortion] then she asked him to wait. She left unhappy with doctor but she was calmed down and more rational. Angela was jittery during group and was fairly vocal. When I talked to her before VPT, she was nervous, but her decision was firm and did not consider other alternatives. Background and personal problems probably added to her reaction to Dr. W. Also, this seemed to be an outlet for her emotions about the VPT. Once this is behind her I think she’ll do okay. Attitude toward birth control: VERY BAD.
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Name: Mary S.
Patient information: Single, Christian, no children. Does want children. Ues the Pill, but missed some last month. Will continue to use the Pill after the abortion.
Before abortion: Overreacted, talkative.
During abortion: Pain was severe at times. Moist clammy skin. Hyperventilating; encouraged slow, deep breathing.
After abortion: Weak
Observations: She and Dr. P got along well. Then she really complained about the pain after saying “It wasn’t bad at all.” She would make no effort to get up afterwards. Dr. P did another procedure and had to wait until we moved her. She moaned in recovery and was there for over one hour. She felt like she was being rushed, but I’ve never seen anyone take so long to go through the clinic.
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13 weeks
Name: Maria P.
Patient information: Single, no children. Doesn’t want any. Used the Pill for five years, but presently uses nothing. Intends to get back on the Pill after the abortion.
Before abortion: Tense, screamed, overreacted
During abortion: Pain was severe at times
After abortion: Weak.
Observations: Maria is a ‘reformed’ drug addict. She may have trouble staying on her birth control pills. She screamed and moaned throughout procedure- was extremely tense from GC to last pelvic exam- terrible patient, but nice lady. Received patient in recovery room via wheelchair and appeared in satisfactory condition.
Aborting Planned Parenthood by Robert H. Ruff (Life Cycle Books: Lewiston, NY) 1990.
The late Dr. William Harrison,who performed tens of thousands of abortions:
“[Abortion is] on par with having a tooth filled.”
Phil Greenberg “To Life: A Collection of Editorials & Columns on Abortion, Life, and Choice” (Little Rock, Arkansas: The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 1999) 82
