Dilation and Extraction or Partial Birth Abortion
Only in unusual circumstances is abortion performed in the third trimester. A modified form of Dilation and Evacuation (see previous page), called Dilation and Extraction (D&X) or “Partial-birth Abortion,” is the primary procedure used, but it is more complicated than in the second trimester. Because the fetus at this stage can be viable, law prohibits extraction of a live fetus. Therefore, fetal life must be terminated before the fetus is extracted from the uterus. As the gestational age increases so does the risk for uterine perforation, infection, bleeding, amniotic fluid embolism, and anesthetic reactions.
Prior to the Supreme Court decision in April 2007 banning some aspects of the D&X procedure, killing the preborn infant just prior to delivering it was done by puncturing the back of the baby’s skull and removing its brain with a suction machine, as depicted below. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, abortionists have been using lethal injections to kill the baby prior to delivery.
The procedure often takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. The following pictures demonstrate the procedure.
After labor begins, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the baby’s legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby’s head.
Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an opening.
A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull contents.
The skull collapses and the baby is removed.
