Shaina Marie B.

Millan 03/10/20

BSN 205 Ms. Canete

BIOETHICS

1. In your own words, describe the process that occurs in fetal development.
The fetal development starts with fertilization which happens at the second week
after the last menstruation. Fertilization is the process of union of sperm and egg
cell. When this happens, the zygote’s genetic make including its sex is complete.
Mitosis, a cell division, happens on the zygote during its three-day journey on
uterus. Then the zygote attaches to the uterine lining and it is then called
blastocyte. The blastocyte continues to develop and implanted until 2 nd week. In
3 weeks, the blastocyte is called embryo and in this the time that it forms its first
nerve cell. During the first month, the embryo has an approximate size of 3/16
inches. Its backbone and vertebral canal form, legs and arm starts forming, the
heart forms and starts to beat. On the second month, it has a size of about 1 ¼
inches and weighs 1/30 oz and ossification occurs which is like bone tissue
formation. At this time, the digits are pronounced and arms, limbs, and legs
become apart; one of the major blood vessels begin to form. On the third month,
the embryo is then called a fetus which has a size of about 3 inches and weighs 1
oz and a characteristic of having eyes that are well-developed but has eyelids
fused, the appendages well-formed, and with a detectable heartbeat. On the
fourth month, the fetus has a size of 6 and a half to 7 inches and weight of 4
ounces, with a characteristic of large head compared to the body, having human
facial features with hairs visible on head, and joints begin forming. On the 5 th
month, the head becomes less disproportion with the body, fine hair grows all
over, and fast development of body systems takes place. On the 6 th month, the
fetus has a size of 11 to 14inches and weighs at about 1 and ¼ to 1 and ½ lbs with
characteristics of having reddish skin color, veins and wrinkles are visible. On
the 7th month, the fetus has a size of 13-17 inches and weighs

2. Prepare a 5-minute speech for laypersons on the methods of abortion.

• Safe and Unsafe Abortion

• Non-surgical or medical abortion

• Later Abortion

• Early Abortion
• Safe & Unsafe Abortion

Unsafe abortion is performed by untrained people.

It include:

• herbs or drugs, including alcohol.

• physical damage e.g. massage, falls.

• pushing substances into the uterus  e.g. soap, bleach.

• pushing objects into the uterus  e.g. a stick, rubber tubing, wire, coat hangers.

Women who have abortions in this way can suffer:

• incomplete abortion leading to septicemia

• infection

• severe bleeding

• infertility

• psychological damage

• death (the WHO estimates that 200 women  a day die from unsafe abortions)

Safe Abortion

Safe abortion is performed by trained  professionals.

It include:

• drugs

• simple operations

• induced labor

• Non-surgical or medical abortion

Non-surgical or medical abortion is used for early abortion up to nine weeks.

Mifepristone and prostaglandin are also used for termination of pregnancy 13 – 24
weeks gestation. The drug used for medical abortion, mifepristone, also known as RU
486, was first developed in France in the 1980’s and is currently on the market in the
UK, France, Sweden, Israel, the US and China.
• Later Abortion

When: 13-24 weeks

Where: Clinic / Hospital. Up to two nights’ stay, depending on gestation.

What happens: The patient is under local anesthetic to reduce pain. The heart of the
fetus is stopped. A combination of hormones is used to soften the cervix, cause
contractions and bring on labor. Contractions can last 6-12 hours. The next day the
doctor checks the abortion is complete. If not, the patient will be given a local 
anesthetic and any remaining tissue will be removed with a small suction pump.

Surgical dilatation & evacuation (D&E)

When: 15-19 weeks

Where: Clinic / Hospital. Usually carried out as a day-care procedure but may require
an overnight stay.

What happens: The patient is given general anesthetic. Before the procedure a pessary
may be put in the vagina to relax the cervix. The cervix is eased open (dilated) so that
forceps can be used to remove the fetus and the uterus lining (evacuation). After the
fetus has been removed the doctor may have to use suction to remove any remaining
tissue.

Surgical two-stage abortion

When: 20-24 weeks

Where: Clinic / Hospital. At least one night’s stay.

What happens: The patient is given a general anesthetic. The heart of the fetus is
stopped. A hormone softens the cervix and the tissues of the pregnancy.  The next day a
dilation and evacuation is performed. The patient can  usually leave 4-6 hours after this
second procedure.

Abortions after 24 weeks are only performed by the NHS. They are extremely rare, less
than 0.1 per cent of the total, and can only be performed if there is:
• risk to the life of the woman,

• evidence of severe fetal abnormality, or

• risk of grave physical and mental injury to the woman.

Methods used are similar to those used between 20 and 24 weeks.

After abortion, at any stage, many women experience some cramping, pain or 
discomfort which can be eased by painkillers. There will also be some bleeding.  The
clinic will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and the patient will be  advised on
possible side effects.

• Early Abortion

Each stage of pregnancy requires a different method of abortion. When performed  by

trained professionals in sterile conditions early procedures are virtually risk-free. Later
abortion may involve some risk to the woman’s health. In order to make informed
decisions women must be made aware of the possible risks  and complications. New
methods of abortion and adaptations to make procedures more effective are constantly
being developed. In July 1991 the UK Licensing Authority approved a hormone pill
called mifepristone for use in early abortion. Recently more abortions have been
provided in day-care settings, an innovation pioneered by Marie Stopes International
(MSI). More women have been able to have a local anesthetic or conscious sedation
rather than general anesthetic. However, the methods available and the exact
procedures will depend on the service provider.

Medical abortion

When: up to 9 weeks

Where: Clinic / Hospital. Three visits (including the assessment visit).

What happens: The patient is prescribed the hormone pill, mifepristone, which causes
the uterus lining to start breaking down. A second hormone pill or vaginal pessary,
prostaglandin, taken two days later, increases contractions and bleeding and helps
expel the pregnancy, as in an early natural miscarriage. Bleeding may be heavy for one
or two days before settling down.

Vacuum aspiration
When: up to 14 weeks

Where: Clinic / Hospital. Usually requires a stay of a few hours after the procedure.

What happens: The patient is usually given a general or a local anesthetic.  The
procedure takes 10-15 minutes. A speculum is used to open the vagina so that the cervix
can be reached. The cervix is gently eased open and a thin tube, attached to a small
pump, is passed through it into the uterus; the small pump is used to draw the contents
of the uterus into the tube. In some centers a procedure called Manual Vacuum
Aspiration (MVA) is offered, using a hand held syringe to gently evacuate the contents
of the uterus. This method was pioneered in the UK by MSI

3. As an individual opposed to all abortions, how would you respond to the following
problems?

a. Pregnancies and resultant births from rape or incest

b. Unwanted children

c. Infants with severe birth defects

4. As an individual supporting abortion rights, how would you respond to the

following problems?

a. Abortion as contraception

b. A late-term abortion for convenience

c. The right to life versus the right to freedom

8. Your physician begins to perform abortions and you are not sure you want to
participate. After exploring your personal beliefs, what will you do as a professional?