David Weldon: “It has recently been brought to my attention that opponents of HR 1833 have stated that this particular abortion…”

“It has recently been brought to my attention that opponents of HR 1833 have stated that this particular abortion technique should maintain its legality because it is sometimes employed by physicians in the interest of maternal health. Such an assertion not only runs contrary to facts but ignores the reality of the risks to maternal health that are associated with this procedure which include the following: 1. Since the procedures entails 3 days of forceful dilatation of the cervix the mother could develop cervical incompetence in subsequent pregnancies resulting in spontaneous second trimester pregnancy losses and necessitating the placement of a cerclage (stitch around the cervix) to enable her to carry a fetus to term. 2. Uterine rupture is a well known complication associated with this procedure. In fact, partial birth abortion is a ``variant'' of internal podalic version . . . a technique sometimes used by obstetricians in this country with the intent of delivering a live child.”