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 THE MORNING AFTER PILL Q. What drugs are used? |
THE ABORTION PILL Q. What drugs are used? |
| A Reproductive Health Lexicon Emergency Contraception (EC) is sometimes called “the morning after pill.” It has been used for many years by not often discussed or made easily available. The treatment must begin no later than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse and consists of concentrated doses of standard, low-dose oral birth control pill (see the list and recommended dosages for each brand of “the pill”). EC DOES NOT CAUSE AN ABORTION -- it prevents a pregnancy. It is also available by prescription as “Preven” and “Plan B”. Plan B is now over the counter for those over 18. Minors still need a prescription. Those over 18 must show the pharmacist an ID proving they are over 18. Reproductive Services and Planned Parenthood sell it for $35. It is available to those using the health dept.  Link to Survey Medical Abortion (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH EC, above). Sometimes called “RU486", or the “French Abortion Pill” has been used in other countries for many years. It is used to end an early pregnancy without surgery. Two different medications are given which cause the uterus to expel a very early embryo (approx. 49 days old, maximum). It is more expensive and takes more visits to the clinic. However, it is non-invasive, can be done at home, and requires no anesthesia. “Partial Birth Abortion” is a political name for a type of surgical abortion. The emotionally charged phrase is deliberately used to make abortion appear harsh, cruel and inhuman and was created in hopes that enacting a law that bans abortions described by this misleading term would effectively ban all abortions. The U.S. Supreme Court has declared as unconstitutional a Nebraska law using this phrase (Carhart vs. Steinberg). Stem Cell Research and government funding for this research is strongly opposed by “pro-life” organizations because it is usually “embryonic stem cells” that are involved in this research, i.e., embryos are destroyed to obtain the stem cells. Most ethicists, however, recognize the promise of stem cell research in finding new treatments for life threatening diseases and that the embryos used would otherwise be destroyed or discarded as surplus. Parental Consent is most strongly supported by the same people who oppose all legal abortion. Some pro-choice supporters also support laws that mandate that pregnant teenagers have to have their parent’s permission to have an abortion. However, it is essential to understand that the majority of young women involve a caring adult in their decision to have an abortion, and that for some young women being forced to tell their parents is dangerous and punitive. Making laws that are based on a belief that parents’ rights come first forces pregnant young women to become mothers. The absence of such laws give them the freedom to struggle with making her their own choices supported by caring adults. Nearly all minors involve their parents but for those who feel they cannot, judicial bypass is available. Abortion Clinic Licensing is the law in Oklahoma. There are only 3 abortion providers in Oklahoma – one in each: Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa. “Choose Life” License Plates are now legal in Oklahoma, with part of the tag fee set aside to support organizations that advocate adoption rather than abortion. This means that the only the beneficiaries are Crises Pregnancy Centers, “storefront” pro-life organizations that use coercion, intimidation and deception to keep women from choosing to have an abortion. Pro-choice and all options counseling services are ineligible for these funds. “Abstinence Only” Sex Education for teens has been shown to be an ineffective means for reducing unwanted pregnancies and/or abortions. Studies are now showing that teens often delay sexual activity in response to “abstinence only” programs, but are not always able to sustain that commitment until marriage. When they abandon abstinence many become pregnant because they’ve had no comprehensive sexuality education and lack the information they need to protect themselves from an unwanted pregnancy (or a sexually transmitted disease). Other studies have shown that the teen abortion rate has declined in recent years in direct relation to teens’ increased knowledge about and access to of all forms of contraception. |
| Religious Voters' Questions for Candidates for Public Office The Oklahoma Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice does not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party. In publishing this guide, the Religious Coalition is neither surveying candidates nor preparing to publish their views. Political rhetoric can blur and distort serious issues, making it difficult to know what candidates for public office really believe about reproductive health issues. It is even more difficult to know what the candidates will do once they are elected. As a religious person, you seek public officials - whether on school boards or city councils, in state legislatures or the US Congress - who will enact policies which respect each person’s religious beliefs. These policies include those that respect individual decisions about whether and when to have children. |