What is a partial birth abortion? I must confess I didn't know what a partial birth abortion was. I more or less assumed that the mother would 'take a pill" or something, and as 'easy and painless" as that sounds that's what I thought it was. I was wrong. I have never been one to think about abortion, because I find it very hard to think about. The act of "killing" a unborn baby makes me shiver. It seems so cold blooded and inhuman. But that's my opinion. I did not know what defined a 'partial birth abortion", (PGA), and really didn't want to know.

I opened my mail last week and in my mail was a newsletter detailing partial birth abortions as well as a few medical facts, and I was shocked when I read it. I feel we must educate ourselves about this subject, as it has become a hot debate in the world of today. Here's a few facts, complied from several educational sources, and I apologize for their graphic and painful nature:

Partial birth abortions are performed in the fifth month of pregnancy and later. In a partial birth abortion, the abortionist pulls a living baby feet-first out of the womb with forceps, aided by ultrasound, and then into the birth canal (vagina).

The abortionist purposely keeps the head inside the cervix (the opening to the womb). He then punctures the base of the skull with a long surgical scissors, which he spreads part to make an opening for a catheter (tube) which is attached to a powerful suction machine. The baby's brain is then suctioned, causing the skull to collapse, after which the abortionist completes the delivery of the now-dead baby.

Partial birth abortions are performed on babies with a gestational age of 20 weeks, or 5 months.

Based on the large body of evidence on the public record, it appears that the great majority of partial-birth abortions (likely over 90%) are performed in the 5th and 6th months of pregnancy, and purely for non-medical, 'personal" reasons.

Although performed usually in the 5th and 6th months, the partial-birth abortion method has been used to perform many abortions in the 3rd trimester--7th month and later.

In remarks on May 23 and December 13, 1996, President Clinton has claimed that the partial birth abortion procedure is necessary to prevent grave injury to women whose unborn babies have greatly enlarged heads (hydrocephaly). Clinton's claim has been refuted by eminent medical specialists, who say that such cases are typically handled by removal of the excess fluid through a narrow needle, after which the baby-usually alive although brain damaged-is delivered without jeopardy to the mother.

Prominent defenders of partial-birth abortions such as Kate Michelnian, have insisted that anesthesia kills the babies before they are removed from the womb. This is entirely untrue. The babies are alive and experience great pain when they are subjected to a partial birth abortion.

Experts have testified that anesthesia, even general anesthesia, given to the mother has little or no effect on the baby. Jean A. Wright, associate professor of pediatrics and anesthesia at Emory University testified that recent research shows that by the time a baby is developed enough to be a candidate for partial birth abortion, the fetus is sensitive to pain-perhaps even more than a full term infant.

She adds, "This procedure, if it was done on an animal in my institution, would not make it through the institutional review process. The animal would be more protected than this child is."

The bill passed by Congress allows a partial-abortion to be performed if necessary to save a woman's life. But pro-abortion groups and President Clinton also demand an exception for 'health" abortion--a huge loophole that would allow partial birth abortions for "emotional well-being" or "depression."

Dr. Martin Haskell, who has performed over 1000 partial birth abortions, said that he performs them "routinely" for non-medical reasons, and that 80% are purely elective." Medical experts testified before congressional committees that it is never necessary to kill a baby that has been almost entirely delivered to preserve the life or health of the mother.

I am sure, after reading these facts, that you are as shocked as I was. I hope my intent to inform you about this procedure will not be taken in a wrong way. I didn't write this to "dramatize or sensationalize" these proceedings. If you feel strongly about partial birth abortion, call or write your local congressman and let him know how you feel. God states that children are a blessing...I wish we could all receive them as such. It's a sad world that values the life of an endangered animal, but not the life of an unborn child of God.

I do hope I haven't offended anyone with this article. I know such information is hard to read. But partial birth abortion is happening in this county that we live in, everyday. Pray for the return of Jesus Christ for everyone's sake...and pray for the souls of these little, helpless, innocent babies.

Our Lord which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come...