Abortion numbers are up according to the latest statistics out today revealing that 36 pre-born children were aborted every day in 2017 and that there has been a significant increase both in early abortions and in medical abortions.
New Zealand Statistics have released the number of reported induced abortions in New Zealand for the year ended December 31st, 2017. There were 13,285 reported abortions in that period, a total of 462 more than in 2016, where there were 12,823.
To make it real, that is 36 pre-born children every single day of the year.
More women are obtaining an abortion very early in their pregnancy, suggesting that abortion is being used even more as a method of birth control. A total of 3,096 abortions occurred prior to the 8th week of pregnancy. The most common method at this stage is an early medical abortion where the woman takes the drug Mifepristone which blocks progesterone, the hormone which sustains a pregnancy and ensures that the nascent human being receives all the nutrients required to sustain life. A second drug, Misoprostol is taken up to 72 hours later. The effect of this drug is to expel the fetus. Pro-abortion advocates are promoting this option as a preferable method as the woman is able to go home and pretend that it is a miscarriage. Serious complications can occur, including catastrophic hemorrhage, an event one does not want to experience at home.
It is noteworthy that the number of medical abortions increased by 762 in 2017 to a total of 2,732.
With this large an increase, in such a short time, pro-life medical professionals in New Zealand would do well to provide a medical pill reversal option and ensure that all pregnancy centres throughout the country are made aware of where to refer women in the case of them changing their mind. Lives could be saved.
There are many misconceptions in the community about when abortion is obtainable in New Zealand. The current law does not have a cut off – in fact, abortion is obtainable in a properly licensed facility right through to birth to save the woman’s life or “to prevent serious permanent injury to her physical or mental health.”
In 2017, there were 96 induced abortions reported from 20 weeks gestation. Of those 21 were carried out 25 weeks and above.
With the incumbent government intent on liberalising New Zealand’s abortion laws, removing the abhorrent practice from the Crimes Act where it belongs, it is likely that there will be an increase in women obtaining early medical abortions as a method of birth control and of late-term abortions in order to end the life of a child who has been diagnosed with some form of disability.
Never forget that each of these is a precious human being, uniquely made in the image and likeness of God, created from love for love and destined for greatness.
Nor should we dismiss the very real and lasting impact abortion has on women – physically, psychologically, spiritually – and on fathers, siblings and the wider family.
Let us do everything we can to cast the light of truth onto this great evil of abortion and to be there for women and families as they face the difficulties of life.
As the great defender of life, Saint John Paul II said “never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”