Defects Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Depending on the severity of the defect(s) the fetus can be diagnosed as being incompatible with life; a term used when a fetus is nonviable or will never have quality of life. Unfortunately, the first trimester ultrasound does not usually reveal birth defects as it is too early in the pregnancy.
In the third trimester, or latter second trimester, a routine ultrasound is reformed to determine delivery options, to ensure growth, and to check the general health of the fetus. It’s during this ultrasound, a trained professional can detect signs of birth defects. If there is any doubt to whether the fetus is completely healthy, prenatal testing is done. If testing is positive, the parents have two choices. Continue pregnancy or have a late-term abortion. Late-term abortion is difficult decision since a healthy fetus is considered viable outside the womb at 23 weeks gestation.
Pro- abortionists would say it is the only choice as it prevents the child from suffering urine its only few minutes of life. Anti-abortionists argue it doesn’t matter the condition of the fetus, its murder at any gestation age. Although it’s a very difficult decision to make, emotions need to be set aside so the focus remains on the severity of the birth defect(s), prenatal testing, and the health of the fetus. Birth defects can range from as mild as cleft lip, a defect that happens when the tissue that makes up the lip does not Join completely before birth.
This is obviously not a reason to abort as it’s cosmetic and can be repaired. However, more severe abnormalities such as Encyclical, in which the baby suffers from the absence of a brain and spinal cord. There is no cure and most Necrophilia babies die during childbirth. The CDC estimates that each year, about 1 in every 4,859 babies in the United States will be born with Encyclical. (Facts about Encyclical) If the fetus is diagnosed with this defect, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision to make. Aborting a child would be the right thing to do. 0-60% of birth defects are caused from unknown source(s). The CDC sits birth defects in the following categories. 1 Central nervous system defects such as Encyclical, spinal biffed Eye defects – Naphthalene Cardiovascular – Common truants, transposition of the great arteries Musculoskeletal – Reduction deformity of lower limbs, Molecule Chromosomal/ genetic abnormalities – Down syndrome, Tourism 13 & 18 Prenatal testing can be performed starting as early as 11-13 weeks gestation. A maternal blood screen tests for abnormally high or low proteins which could be an indication of chromosomal disorder.
An ultrasound at this stage can detect extra fluid behind the baby’s neck. Increased fluid could indicate a chromosomal disorder or heart defect. In the second trimester, around 15-20 weeks, a maternal serum screening is a simple blood test used to identify certain birth defects, such as neural tube defects or chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome. Certain diagnostic tests can be performed such as an amniocentesis where a small amount of amniotic fluid is collected and tested for certain chromosomal disorders, such as cystic fibrosis or ATA-Sacks disease. Screening Tests) As much as testing may sound good, it’s not 100% guaranteed to detect any disorder or defect. The best detection will come from an anomaly ultrasound performed in the second trimester, sometimes not until the third. This ultrasound is where a trained professional such as an BOB/GYM can spot defects and/ or abnormalities by visually seeing them. Pro-lifers fight for the right for life. Planned Parenthood clinics across the nation have more than one pro-lifer standing outside, usually holding a sign that has writing saying something such as “Abortion is murder!
Her heart started beating at seven weeks [gestation]” Sometimes a picture of a fetus will follow. Anti-abortionists are brave. They are very stubborn regarding their opinion and will let you know it. “Human beings develop at an astonishingly rapid pace” is a response suggested by Rob Cheerleaders, Senior Vice-President of Family Research Council when a pro-choicer states “No one knows when life begins” during an anti- abortion debate. (Cheerleaders) The right to life, despite the seriousness or the condition of, the fate of the infant is what anti-abortionists fight for.
Since life begins at conception, abortion is akin to murder as it is the act of taking human life. Abortion is in direct defiance of the commonly accepted idea of the sanctity of human life” (Lone) Abortion is a choice. It always has been. Keep the focus on what’s right for the fetus, trying prevention methods from the same situation from happening in the future and keeping morality out of the decision. Works Cited “Facts about Encyclical. ” 21 October 2014. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. 14 February 2015.
