During the much-debated lockdown in response to Covid-19, surgery classified as “elective” was postponed so that resources would be available for the anticipated influx of patients in public hospitals.
But not abortion.
Abortion “care” (as the proponents of this lethal procedure like to call it), remained available as an “essential service”, taking the lives of hundreds of innocent human lives since the end of March.
Access to abortion has been the goal of this government from the get-go, with Ms Ardern ensuring from the start abortion law reform. She succeeded in her mission just days before it was announced that the entire country was to go into lockdown – her government pushing the law through with a distasteful bloody minded-ness.
We may have saved some lives. But how many more have been lost to abortion?
How does one trust the sincerity of a Prime Minister to save lives when she rejoices in an act which ends the life of one human being and leaves deep wounds in another?
Ministry of Health Interim Standards for Abortion Services
Now under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, the original Standards of Care have been replaced with Interim Standards for Abortion Services. These Standards took effect on 24 March and are designed to ensure that every provider (clinic or hospital) adheres to the same policies and that access to abortion is available in every District Health Board through the country no matter what.
Among the many clauses in the document lies the sickening reality of abortion. Pages 16 to 20 outline each of the methods that may be undertaken at “each gestation period”. The document declares that “all services should actively promote the earliest possible abortion procedure and work towards being able to offer women a choice of methods appropriate for each gestation period.”
As people who believe in the right to life of all human beings it is important that we are informed of the fatal procedures the Ministry of Health actively endorses.
Methods approved by the Ministry of Health
The following procedures are listed in the Interim Standards for Abortion Services, where further recommendations and expectations for each method are given.
Surgical Abortion (First Trimester)
Performed through suction under local anaesthetic or light sedation, sometimes under general anaesthetic.
Medical Abortion (First Trimester)
A two-step abortion process which requires the ingestion of Mifepristone, which stops the hormone progesterone required to sustain a pregnancy and feed the growing baby; and 24-48 hours later the reception of Misoprostol, which causes contractions and typically completes the abortion. At times the drugs fail and a surgical abortion follows.
Medical Abortion (Second and Third Trimester)
An induction of labour, which, according to the Standards, should take place where gynaecological specialist support, an operating theatres, and blood products are available.
Feticide – Medical Abortion (post 22 weeks)
An additional process to a medical abortion in which potassium chloride is injected into the heart of the baby, ensuring death. The New Zealand Maternal Fetal Medicine Network have determined that unless “exceptional circumstances” exist, then feticide should take place post 22 weeks.
Suction – Surgical Abortion (Second Trimester)
From 14 to 16 weeks gestation a suction abortion can still be performed “according to the skills and experience of local doctors.”
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) – Surgical Abortion (Second Trimester)
Performed after 15 weeks gestation, this procedure involves suction and, because the growing baby is too large to be sucked through the canula (tube), grasping forceps are used to extract the limbs, head and body parts. According to the Standards, “the upper limit of [this] surgical abortion is dependent on operator training, skill and experience.”
Hysterotomy (Third Trimester)
A similar procedure to a caesarean section, where an incision is made into the womb through the abdominal wall. It is a method employed when a woman has previously undergone a caesarean section or has some other conditions, for example placenta accreta, which would preclude labour and delivery.
The womb is the least safe place to reside in New Zealand
With a contradiction in the standard of care for human lives and in the recognition of the dignity of each human person, the womb is the most unsafe place to reside in New Zealand.
Clearly defined protocols exist to ensure that New Zealand’s weakest and most vulnerable are snuffed out in the most violent way. Indifference toward the dignity and humanity of the smallest among us is shrouded in medical speak, touting this service as “health care”.
If we are to save lives at any cost, then we must apply the same standard to all human lives – born and unborn. Time will tell what the repercussions of this heinous crime against our children will reap.