Surgical Abortion - What You Need To Know: Elizabeth's Story

Most people are told surgical abortion is easy, painless and quick.  Do not be confused or misled.  This does not account for pre-op preparations and recovery, nor does it account for the actual gestational age of your pregnancy and what surgery you will undergo.  They are performed from 4 weeks, before pregnancy can even be verified, to late term depending on the state in which you live.  Do you know what the process of the different procedures are?  Are they as safe as claimed by abortion providers and activists?  We are going to lay it all out for you and let you decide.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

The kind of abortion a woman chooses depends on her personal preference and her situation. Some people choose in-clinic abortion because they want to have their procedure done with nurses, doctors, abortionists, and specialized clinicians and a support staff there the whole time.

SPEAKER_00 0:17

Which is which is unlike the abortion pill where you have the abortion at home.

SPEAKER_01 0:21

Right. Most people know this is a surgical abortion and are told it is easy, painless, and quick.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Yeah, but do not be confused or misled by that, because this does not account for the pre-op preparations and recovery, nor does it account for the actual gestational age of your pregnancy and what surgery you will undergo.

SPEAKER_01 0:39

They are performed from four weeks before pregnancy can even be verified until late term, depending on the state in which you live.

SPEAKER_00 0:47

And do you know what the process of the different procedures are? And are they as safe as claimed by abortion providers and activists?

SPEAKER_01 0:54

So for this episode, we're going to lay it all out for you and let you decide. But please be warned.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

This episode does contain graphic descriptions. So listening discretion is advised. This is the story of Elizabeth. And I'm Louise. Our journey began several years ago in a medical pregnancy resource center for women facing unplanned pregnancies who need direction, support, and answers. We created this podcast to shed light through the real life stories we experienced and others experienced on the people and issues that are caught up in the debate about life and abortion. We have all heard the political side of the matter, but no one really wants to talk about the reality and effect on women. We are not lawmakers, activists, or lobbyists. We are just two women trying to share the truth.

SPEAKER_01 1:54

The information we're going to be sharing with you is true and factual. However, the names of the women in our stories are changed to protect their identities. In our clinic, we've heard stories of women who have gone through a surgical abortion and have vowed never to do it again for a myriad of reasons.

SPEAKER_00 2:13

Yeah, but but to get a detailed testimony is difficult because it is painful to relive through their description of the process in our counseling room.

SPEAKER_01 2:22

Right. A lot of them have never really talked about it and they're not quite ready to do it at that point. Right. So we're going to share the testimony from the 2026 Walk for Life published by Silent No More of a woman who was finally able and willing to share her experience.

SPEAKER_00 2:39

So she says, My name is Elizabeth. I am from California. I am 62 years old. For over 20 years, I hid behind a very shameful secret that I had been in, even while in church for almost half of my life, and I never told anyone until my pastor asked if I would give my testimony before a small woman's Bible study. I knew it was time that I faced my shame and regret, and I really wanted to let it out.

SPEAKER_01 3:06

She continues. On my first one, I was told by very close family that it wasn't a baby, it was a clump of cells. I really didn't know what that meant. I only remember hearing it wasn't a baby. At the time of this abortion, I was married with two small babies ages two and one, and I was pregnant now with my third. I was in a very abusive relationship because I was beaten beyond recognition too many times. I was stabbed 22 times with a screwdriver by my ex-husband, who was addicted to drugs. That week I was scheduled to leave for the police academy, and it was my choice to be free and on my own financially. I had the abortion on Friday, August 15th, 1986, and left for the police academy two days later.

SPEAKER_00 3:57

I remember that I was driven into the parking lot, there was no one out there trying to tell me not to go in, and once inside I was put into a dark room where no one talked, they had me sign some papers. I was taken to a procedure room, I never met the doctor, and I did not receive an ultrasound. They didn't even try to hear the baby's heartbeat. I was put under anesthesia, woke up with someone slapping my hand to get up quickly, drink some juice with cookies, get dressed, and be discharged. No one explained anything to me, only that I would bleed like my menstrual cycle.

SPEAKER_01 4:32

A glaring aspect to this part of Elizabeth's story is the absolute lack of care for the woman who was before them. You know, abortion is often touted as the caring option, you know, women's health care. Where is the health concern in this story? Where is the care? To continue Elizabeth's story, I tried to suppress what happened and did not think about it. I got through it, right? Since I got through it, I thought I continued to have three more abortions, a total of four in six years.

SPEAKER_00 5:03

And after the fourth, I can honestly say my life was spiraling out of control. I lost my mind. I was very angry, depressed, suicidal, hopeless, and I became addicted to drugs. I had so much hate fighting domestic violence in my home. It was hard to love my children and have a loving, peaceful home. I thought having a home and providing was enough, but it wasn't. I was very out of control. I was a very angry person, and inside I was screaming for help and I didn't know it.

SPEAKER_01 5:34

So in 1992 I came to Jesus and surrendered my life to Christ as my Lord and Savior. Without the love of my heavenly Father who has forgiven me and healed my mind, my will and emotions, I wouldn't be here today. I thank God for redeeming me, saving me, and using me and my mess. I am now a message of hope to help many moms.

SPEAKER_00 5:58

So I did get the job in law enforcement, and while I was working in a mental hospital, I was assigned to take a pregnant female for an abortion. By this time I was in church and I knew abortion was wrong. I tried to talk her out of it, but she began to yell very loudly in public. She said, I don't care. I've had 17 abortions. I don't care. I don't want this baby. She had lost her mind. My job was to take her, transport her, escort her all the way for her abortion.

SPEAKER_01 6:30

No one knew about my abortions, but I knew God wanted me to see what an abortion really is. So with my eyes wide open, I went into Planned Parenthood, this time to observe and not as a patient, but to guard my prisoner. I saw the tray of the aborted baby after the abortion. I saw its body ripped to pieces. I saw its hands, arms, legs, shoulder, and feet. I watched as the nurses had to put the baby back together like a puzzle, with no emotion, as if it was nothing. That day changed my life forever. It literally broke my heart. When I got home, I cried out to the Lord in true repentance. I repented and asked God to forgive me.

SPEAKER_00 7:15

I truly didn't know. I have found help and forgiveness and have put myself through abortion recovery in our healing groups, and it was life-changing. To sit with other moms who had abortions, we cried together, prayed for each other, and named our babies, and I highly recommend this.

SPEAKER_01 7:32

I have sat each of my living children down and told them about my abortions before I could go public. I told my grandchildren because I didn't want them to go through what I went through. All your circumstances can change. Mine did, but once you take that baby's life, you can't bring your baby back. I regret my abortions. Not a day goes by when I don't think about them or look at my three living children and wonder who they would look like.

SPEAKER_00 8:02

You know, we have already covered the process of the abortion pill in a different episode. But what if you don't want to do that or you are farther along than 10 weeks and undergo a surgical abortion? The type of procedure depends on how far along the pregnancy actually is, which yet again is another reason to have your pregnancy verified by ultrasound, which clinics don't necessarily require, or they tack on additional fees if it is offered. So here it is broken down for you.

SPEAKER_01 8:30

So a first trimester surgical abortion are conducted at from four to fourteen weeks based on your last menstrual period or your LMP. Note that this does not state a verified pregnancy, it's just a number, a date. The procedure is called suction aspiration abortion. So how does it work?

SPEAKER_00 8:50

For very early pregnancies, you know, four to seven weeks LMP, after local anesthetic is injected into the cervix, a long thin tube is inserted into the uterus and the baby is suctioned out.

SPEAKER_01 9:05

Later in the first trimester, the cervix would need to be opened wider because the fetus is larger.

SPEAKER_00 9:11

And this is done by the the cervix may be softened the day before using medication placed in the vagina, or it may be slowly stretched open using something called laminaria, which is uh dried seaweed or kelp, which is formed into narrow bundles that absorb fluid and expand in size when placed inside the cervical canal, causing it to dilate.

SPEAKER_01 9:34

Basically, it's doing what in a normal pregnancy might happen over several weeks, and we have heard, and it's doing it in a day, and we've heard from women that it is extremely painful.

SPEAKER_00 9:45

Yeah, so on the day of the procedure, um, the cervix may need further stretching using dilating rods, and this can be additionally painful. So general anesthesia will be used if available. And yes, this increases the cost and the potential risk. So some women have to do this without pain medication.

SPEAKER_01 10:07

Yeah. And next, the doctor, whoever is performing this, inserts a stiff plastic tube into the uterus and applies suction by either an electric or manual vacuum device. This pulls the bodies of the baby apart and out of the uterus. A sharp looped tool called a curette may be used to scrape and remove any remaining fetal parts.

SPEAKER_00 10:31

Serious physical complications are infrequent with this type based on what is known. But it can include bleeding and infection, as well as incomplete abortion, allergic reactions to medications, and organ damage, for example, uterine perforation requiring surgery.

SPEAKER_01 10:49

Wow. So then if you get to a second or third trimester, these are called dilution, dilation, and evacuations, or DNEs. The DNE procedure performed from 15 to 22 weeks by last menstrual period LMP is the most common for second trimester abortions. Local anesthesia, oral or intravenous pain medications, and sedation are available, are commonly used, but not always based on cost.

SPEAKER_00 11:17

Yes, some operators use lethal injections to end the baby's life a few days before the procedure. And this allows time for the bones to soften, easing removal and possibly reducing the risk to the mother. The cervix must be open wider than the first trimester because the baby obviously is larger, and the vaginal medications are placed in the cervix for several days before.

SPEAKER_01 11:43

So on the day of the procedure, the amniotic fluid around the baby is drained. Metal dilating rods further stretch the cervix. Surgical instruments called forceps are then used to grasp, tear, and pull fetal parts through the open cervix as the baby is too large to fit through the suction tubing in one piece, and the bones will not break up with the suction alone.

SPEAKER_00 12:07

The removed parts are kept track of to ensure nothing is left behind, like we said, like pieces of a puzzle put back together. And lastly, the curette or suction machine is used to clear remaining tissue or blood clots which can cause infection and bleeding.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

These are human beings that are being torn apart. I I as we're talking about this, I'm just thinking of thinking of the babies that are involved in this. And the DNE procedure performed after viability, meaning after the baby would survive outside the womb, includes pregnancies ranging from 23 weeks in later. This procedure typically takes two to three days and is associated with increased risk to the life and the health of the mother.

SPEAKER_00 12:52

Because live birth is still possible at this stage, injections are given to cause fetal death. And this is done to comply with the Federal Partial Birth Abortion Act of 2003, which requires that the baby be dead before complete removal from the mother's body. So we kill it first. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 13:10

Medications are injected into the amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or directly into the baby's heart or head, causing death. The remainder of the procedure would be the same as a second trimester DNE.

SPEAKER_00 13:23

An alternate procedure called intact DNE is also used. The goal is to remove the baby in one piece, thus reducing the risk of leaving parts behind or causing damage to her body. And this procedure requires the cervix to be opened wider. However, it is still often necessary to crush the fetus skull for removal.

SPEAKER_01 13:46

So labor and induction is used for later term abortions. This method induces abortion by using drugs such as misoprostol or protocin to cause labor and delivery of the fetus and placenta. They used to be performed in hospitals lasting about 10 to 24 hours, but today most are done in an outpatient setting despite the considerable risks if complications occur. This may be selected because the provider does not offer late-term DNE or patient preference, or so an autopsy of the baby may be done afterward.

SPEAKER_00 14:21

The same medications are injected into the baby to avoid delivery of a live baby and the cervix is dilated. Next, pitocin, misoprostol, and sometimes myfopristone are used to induce labor. In most cases, the baby and placenta are delivered, and the patient may, may receive pain medications.

SPEAKER_01 14:43

And occasionally a surgical scraping, a DNC of the uterus would be needed.

SPEAKER_00 14:48

And potential complications include hemorrhage and the need for a blood transfusion and possible uterine rupture.

SPEAKER_01 14:55

It's important to note at this point that not only do babies experience pain before birth, but they feel it intensely. And even in normal circumstances where the baby's not killed, it can impact their life after delivery.

SPEAKER_00 15:09

By 15 weeks' gestation, the fetus does experience this pain. And there are graphic videos, if you are interested, of babies trying to struggle to get away from the abortionist needle and surgical tools.

SPEAKER_01 15:24

So what are the risks of surgical and late-term abortion? Serious immediate physical complications occur infrequently in early abortions, but increase with each week of pregnancy. Incomplete reporting and the lack of documentation linking abortions with complications limits what we know.

SPEAKER_00 15:43

But the ones we do know are one, heavy bleeding or hemorrhaging, which results from cervical tears, uterine punctures, retained tissue, or when the uterus fails to contract. And this requires a DNC or blood transfusion, and a DNC alone can cause scarring leading to infertility.

SPEAKER_01 16:01

Another is incomplete or failed abortion, where the abortion fails to suction out the embryo and the pregnancy continues, common in early pregnancies, or the abortion does not remove all of the tissue leading to infection, which also would require a DNC.

SPEAKER_00 16:17

Yeah, infection can develop from insertion of medical instruments and again remaining fetal parts requiring antibiotics and a DNC. Pelvic infection can cause scarring of the pelvic organs leading to infertility and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

SPEAKER_01 16:34

There's also organ damage, meaning the cervix, the uterus, a bowel, or bladder could be damaged. It could be cut, torn, punctured by medical instruments.

SPEAKER_00 16:44

And emboli are clots that form in the bloodstream and break off and travel in the body. And they can lodge in the lungs, causing illness and even death.

SPEAKER_01 16:53

Anesthesia can cause allergic reactions of varying degrees of severity. There's convulsions, heart complications, and in extreme cases, death are also known risks.

SPEAKER_00 17:04

And Rh sensitization means that a woman has a blood type of Rh positive or negative. All pregnant women who are Rh negative, even in the case of abortion, should receive Rogam medication to prevent the formation of antibodies that may harm future pregnancies.

SPEAKER_01 17:22

Death is also possible in extreme cases and increases as the pregnancy progresses. The risk of death increases by 38% for each week after eight weeks LMP. For pregnancies over 21 weeks, the risk from induced abortion is 12 in 100,000.

SPEAKER_00 17:41

So are there long-term risks? Will abortion affect you later? So long-term physical risks include an increase in breast cancer and preterm birth in the future. But the psychological impact is the real risk. Abortion can have serious impacts on relationships. Especially if the abortion was under pressure or duress.

SPEAKER_01 18:00

And we see this anecdotally in our clinic all the time, where we we talk about this like it's gonna affect the way you look at your boyfriend or your significant under, the father of the baby. But the data about long-term effects of abortion is incomplete. As women often fail to recognize the cause of their distress for years, and running a truly scientific study of the effects would be unethical. However, we really we do know enough.

SPEAKER_00 18:28

Yeah, there are documented emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual side effects. And we have heard them firsthand many times. We have heard many, many stories from women who have had abortion and experienced symptoms similar to um PTSD, where they have nightmares, flashbacks, depression, anger, and avoidance of certain places.

SPEAKER_01 18:50

Post-abortion syndrome or PAS is real, real enough to be covered in its own episode coming soon.

SPEAKER_00 18:56

Yeah. If you or someone you know was considering an abortion and specifically surgical, the decision needs to be an informed one. So get the facts. Talk to a center like us where you can get the support of people who care for you and your baby.

SPEAKER_01 19:11

At a minimum, we want to provide a decision question guide for you to ask yourself, as well as an abortion health and safety checklist as a start. We don't want you to make life-altering decisions out of a sense of vulnerability and fear.

SPEAKER_00 19:26

We want you to know that you are stronger and more capable than the abortion industry wants you to believe, because they don't care about you.

SPEAKER_01 19:34

A testimony from Lisa, who had an abortion at 14 weeks, exemplifies the need for these. She did not ask questions, she was uninformed.

SPEAKER_00 19:44

And she stated, I was awake the whole time. They numbed me. I felt no physical pain, but I will never forget the tugging and pulling, the sound of the vacuum. After the abortion, I was shuffled out the back way. I sat alone on the curb, waiting for my mother to come pick me up. She was an hour late. They told me I would forget about the mass of tissue and be able to go on with my life, but I was having nightmares every night. For many years, a day did not go by that I did not contemplate suicide. Guilt, sorrow, loss of dignity, and deep shame are the most felt responses after an abortion. And I experienced deep despair and lonely scars of regret. Though forgiven, I will never forget.

SPEAKER_01 20:29

The people at that clinic didn't care about Lisa, and we want to make sure that you don't let yourself be a Lisa. So for the decision guide. These questions need to be pondered, asked, and answered for your health and safety if you or someone you know is contemplating abortion. Please note that these are not comprehensive in what needs to be considered in your decision process. There is much to consider before you make your decision, and that's where we can help. But ultimately the decision is yours and we still want to protect you.

SPEAKER_00 21:02

Again, the abortion industry does not care about you or your health. Regardless, your decision, you should consider the following.

SPEAKER_01 21:11

Have you had an ultrasound to confirm how long a long the pregnancy is and determine which abortion procedure is safest? It's amazing the number of women who we see who think they're you know eight weeks and they're actually 15 weeks. It happens all the time.

SPEAKER_00 21:27

Yep. And has your pregnancy been confirmed by a licensed physician?

SPEAKER_01 21:31

Have you been tested for an STI? Do you know the additional risks of the procedure if you happen to have an STI?

SPEAKER_00 21:39

Do you understand the process and the risks of the procedure?

SPEAKER_01 21:43

Have you asked the clinic what happens in case something goes wrong with the procedure?

SPEAKER_00 21:47

Have you asked the clinic if their provider, if a doctor or not, has hospital privileges in case of complications that would require medical intervention?

SPEAKER_01 21:56

And are you aware of the possible emotional side effects of abortion? Abortion and where to get help if those arrive. Again, we will cover post-abortion syndrome in another episode.

SPEAKER_00 22:08

Do you know if it is okay for you to change your mind and with to draw your consent at any time before the procedure, even if you are on the table?

SPEAKER_01 22:18

And on that note, do you know you can change your mind? Even if you started the abortion pill process, we will cover information on abortion pill reversal also in another episode.

SPEAKER_00 22:29

So here is an abortion health and safety checklist. It is important to know that as a patient, you deserve to be respected. And if the clinic does not provide the following, run.

SPEAKER_01 22:42

In the stories that we've heard, these rights have not been honored, leading to even more horrific experiences.

SPEAKER_00 22:49

So you have the right as a patient to talk beforehand to the provider performing or prescribing your abortion.

SPEAKER_01 22:57

You have the right to a full and accurate description of the process you are about to undergo. Many places do not want to disclose this information, but you need to be knowledgeable on what to expect so you're prepared for this procedure and after.

SPEAKER_00 23:12

To know all the potential risks and complications of the abortion process, for example, excessive bleeding and pain, perforation, and the others we have talked about, do not trust if they say that it's completely safe and there are no side effects.

SPEAKER_01 23:26

You need to know information about the provider performing or ordering the abortion, such as his current license, hospital privileges, history of malpractice claims, or suspended licenses. If not, provided, again, run.

SPEAKER_00 23:41

Yeah, you have the right to be treated with dignity in a safe and sanitary environment. If your gut tells you it is not right, listen to it.

SPEAKER_01 23:50

I'm gonna stop there because we get so many times women saying how nice our clinic is compared, like sometimes they've come from an abortion clinic, and they're floored at how nice and clean and welcoming our place is compared to the dirty, dark, and disgusting place that they just came from. We hear that very frequently.

SPEAKER_00 24:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:10

Anyway, you also have a right to obtain a second opinion.

SPEAKER_00 24:14

Or to ask questions and to change your mind even at the last minute.

SPEAKER_01 24:19

You should be able to get a copy of your medical records.

SPEAKER_00 24:22

And to ask what hospital you would be sent to if a complication arises.

SPEAKER_01 24:27

And you have the right to confidentiality and privacy.

SPEAKER_00 24:30

Yeah, again, we believe abortion is wrong, except in cases where the pregnancy is ended in the attempt to save the mother's life.

SPEAKER_01 24:38

But that is not necessarily abortion. It is something called the doctrine of double effect that was first originated by Thomas Aquinas.

SPEAKER_00 24:47

An innocent life is lost by choice, but it is also risky for the mother.

SPEAKER_01 24:53

For your health and safety, your decision should be made with complete and accurate information. You should never feel pressured to make a quick decision.

SPEAKER_00 25:02

You have time to make an informed choice. Mark off each of these items to ensure you have explored all the information to make this important health decision. If you're unsure of any of these questions or answers, please contact us.

SPEAKER_01 25:21

This means that we put your well-being first in whatever it is you ultimately choose. And before we go, going back to women who have had abortions, and I'm sure there are some who are listening that may have, um, we should emphasize the fact that there is help for people who have had abortions. There's a website called supportafterabortion.org, and it has a myriad of resources for people, men and women, men who have been affected by abortion, but also women, um, to get the help that they need and deserve. So supportafterabortion.org.

SPEAKER_00 25:57

All right, that's all we got for this episode. Thanks for listening.

SPEAKER_01 26:00

Yes, please like and um pass it on and share it with others.

SPEAKER_00 26:05

If you or someone you know is dealing with an unplanned pregnancy or any aspect of a pre-or post-pregnanty decision, we want to hear your story. Please contact us through our website at www.therrealityofchoice.com or text us at 660-454-0734.

SPEAKER_01 26:24

That number is again 660-454-0734. Please share our podcast with others. Please like and follow us and subscribe to our newsletter on our website to get news and updates. If you think this information is important, please leave us a five star review to help others find us as well.