Based on Heartbeat International’s Talking Points on Ectopic Pregnancy and The tragedy of ectopic and miscarriage misinformation by C. Brent Boles, M.D.
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. In the absence of emergency treatment, an ectopic pregnancy causes severe and life- threatening health consequences for the mother because there isn’t room for the child to grow. Treatment for ectopic pregnancies varies depending on the circumstance. Without treatment, the fallopian tube can rupture and lead to life-threatening bleeding.
This life-saving care for ectopic pregnancy is important for women. This life-saving care isn’t impacted by any pro-life laws on the books. In fact, the new law in Ohio specifically states that induced abortion restrictions apply only to intrauterine pregnancies. This means that there are no changes whatsoever to the treatment of ectopic pregnancies.
No, abortion is not used to treat an ectopic pregnancy.
A current popular claim being made is that women with ectopic pregnancies are in danger because abortion is used to treat this dangerous condition and will be illegal in states restricting abortion availability. This is false. Some speakers, physicians among them, also promote the fiction that “abortion is used to treat ectopic pregnancy.” There is absolutely no justification for such deceptive and false rhetoric.
Evidence
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) describes the condition of ectopic pregnancy, the methods for diagnosing this condition and treating an ectopic with either medication or surgery, never once mentioning the word “abortion.”
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) discusses ectopic pregnancy and its treatment and also never compares it to an induced abortion.
Until as recently as June 29, 2022, Planned Parenthood’s website stated, “Treating an ectopic pregnancy isn’t the same thing as getting an abortion.”
And well-known abortionist, Dr. Jen Gunter, has discussed the topic, saying, “Doctors do not call therapy for an ectopic pregnancy an abortion, we call it treatment of an ectopic pregnancy.”
Pro-life OB/GYN, Dr. Brent Boles, said, “I can unequivocally state that I have no hesitation or reservation about treating a woman with an ectopic pregnancy.”
No, a miscarriage is not the same as an induced abortion.
An induced abortion is a process using a procedure or a set of medications or a combination of both, where the developing pregnancy is intentionally ended and the human embryo/fetus is removed, evacuated, or delivered from the uterus in some manner. On the contrary, a miscarriage is the result of a spontaneous process, not initiated by any intentional or unintentional action on the part of the pregnant woman or others. It is the result of illness, defect, or injury.
The confusion results from the fact that abortion supporters latch onto the fact that medical terminology uses the terms ‘induced abortion’ and ‘spontaneous abortion.’ They act as if the two are one and the same and are interchangeable. They are not.
Furthermore, patients are confused when they hear that a D&C (Dilation and Curettage) is a procedure used to treat miscarriage and a procedure used to perform induced abortion. They are also confused when they see that sometimes a miscarriage process is completed by administering misoprostol (Cytotec), a medication also used in medication abortions, to achieve completion of the miscarriage process without a surgical D&C.
The fact of the matter is that the aim of treatment of a miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is to facilitate removal of an embryo/fetus of a pregnancy that has ended naturally while in the mother’s uterus due to illness, defect or injury. An induced abortion uses these same treatment methods (and others) to intentionally end a pregnancy and remove the embryo/fetus from the uterus.
The American Medical Association system of medical coding and reporting, known as ICD-10, recognizes the difference between these two conditions and uses different codes to distinguish between the two. Pro-life laws restrict access to induced abortion only, and do not restrict the availability of treatments for miscarriage (spontaneous abortion).
Bottom Line
Before Roe in 1973, doctors and patients were never prosecuted for having or treating ectopic pregnancies and they won’t be now after Dobbs.
Such rhetoric may create fear in women who suspect they may have an ectopic pregnancy and delay their access to care, placing them at risk for significant harm or even death.
Those who are drawing a false equivalence between miscarriage and induced abortion have callously disregarded the emotional impact their false statements have on women who have had a miscarriage.
Most women have abortions not because it’s a legal choice, but because they believe they have no choice. Every woman deserves love and support during an unexpected pregnancy. The Pregnancy Resource Center is here for them.
If you have had an abortion or know someone who has and struggle with the experience, we are here to offer support and a safe place to process your emotions. Please click here to request our After Abortion Support healing resources.