Abortifacients

In my letter published in the Wednesday, March 14, edition of “The Amboy Guardian,” I mentioned the potential health risks to women of the birth control pill and other methods such as the IUD. I did not discuss the belief, among some gynecologists, that such hormonal contraceptives may have an abortifacient effect.  It is believed by some physicians that they can prevent the newly-conceived embryo from being implanted in the mother’s uterus, thus causing an abortion.

Dr. Donna Harrison, board certified obstetrician-gynecologist and the executive director of research for the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetrician and Gynecologists said the following:

“The scientific evidence shows that the {IUD, Ella, and Plan B} can end the life of a human being. There are only two ways in which a contraceptive drug or device can prevent an embryo from forming. 1) Prevent an egg from being released. 2) Prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Once sperm and egg meet, fertilization takes place in a moment, and the result is a one-celled embryo, which is the beginning of mammalian life.”

“Fertilizations do take place in IUD users. Embryos have been directly received from the fallopian tubes of IUD users. Changing the lining of the uterus by setting up an inflammatory reaction in the lining is in fact the principal mechanism of action by which IUDs prevent embryos from implanting. And preventing an embryo from implanting kills the embryo.”

“Ella is the same kind of drug as the abortion drug RU-486. If a woman takes Ru-486 or Ella after she releases an egg, it can cause the embryo to die, either by preventing a woman’s ovary from making enough progesterone or by blocking the action on the lining of the uterus, causing the mother’s side of the placenta to disintegrate.” Harrison cited an FDA research study to corroborate this.

“High dose progestins like Plan B can cause endometrial changes that can make implantation more difficult. Knowingly taking a human life is something that many have a conscientious objection to.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) changed the definition of conception and pregnancy from fertilization to implantation to coincide with the advent of the birth control pill in 1965. It is thought by some that this was a political move done so that doctors could assure their patients that the pill was a contraceptive, and not an abortifacient.

Some gynecologists argue that the birth control pill doesn’t just prevent conception. If fertilization occurs, the thinning of the uterus which the birth control pill may cause makes it difficult for the embryo to implant. Thus the newly-conceived embryo is expelled from a woman’s body. The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists has published two different position papers on the subject. Some members believe that birth control pills are abortifacient, others believe that, although the condition of the uterus is altered, it does not interfere with implantation. If there is the potential that human life may be destroyed, the birth control pill should not be used.

Marianne Zanko Komek