Dr. C Everett Koop on Babies Born Alive after Abortions

From the book Whatever Happened to the Human Race? by Francis Shaeffer and Doctor C. Everett Koop (former U.S. Surgeon General) Crossway Books, Westchester, Illinois.

“Of 607 second trimester abortions done at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, 45 resulted in live births. Although a fetus may live only a few hours, it must be pronounced dead by a physician, must receive both a birth and death certificate, and is sent to a funeral director for burial or cremation. A more expedient solution is offered in the publication of The International Correspondence Society of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (Nov 1974)

“At the time of delivery it has been our policy to wrap the fetus in a towel. The fetus is then moved into another room while our attention is turned to the care of the gravida (the mother) … Once we are sure her condition is stable, the fetus is evaluated. Almost invariably, all signs of life have ceased.”

“Hysterotomy gives the fetus the best chance for survival, but it is allowed to die through neglect or sometimes killed by direct act. In 1977 a Boston jury found Dr. Kenneth Edelin guilty of manslaughter for killing the fetus of this type of abortion. Dr. William J. Waddill, Jr., an obstetrician in California, was indicted and tried in 1977 for allegedly strangling to death a baby born alive following a saline abortion. The trial resulted in a hung jury when the judge introduced new thoughts on the California definition of death. The former mother-to-be sued for $17 million on grounds that she was not adequately informed of the possible outcome of the abortion.

“In 1977 the medical staff at Hollywood’s Memorial Hospital (Florida) protested, “We’ve had preemies that have lived that were less developed than some of the abortions were.”