Is there a way to cause a miscarriage at 20 weeks pregnant?

I am not sure if there are "safe" ways to naturally miscarry at this point in your pregnancy-- the liklihood of spontaneous abortion greatly decreases by the second trimester. I found a medical (not religious!) site that says:

"The age of viability is 24-26 weeks gestation, although a baby born that early will have some complications. A baby born at 20weeks gestation cannot survive outside of the womb..."

IF you choose to have an abortion, I think you should make that decision very soon... otherwise, you are very close to being able to carry the baby to viability and could give it up for adoption.

I think that you may benefit from some counseling from either a clinic or your regular provider-- this may give you the clinical information you need to make a decision and provide a judgement-free forum.

It doesn't matter how you refer to abortion. "removing the fetus" or "baby killing" it's the same procedure. abort means to stop. what you want to stop is the pregnancy. if she chooses it, every woman should have access to a safe abortion, a safe baby killing or a safe fetus removal. whatever you want to call it. miscarriage is the same thing, the pregnancy is stopped except you didn't do it on purpose. saying it's baby killing is irrelevant. who cares what you call it. describing the procedure makes no difference either, miscarriage is horrifying. abortion is horrifying. abortion should be rare. couples should practice better family planning. every pregnancy should be wanted. however, be realistic, sometimes things happen that we don't want. in that case there should be a safe way. abortion is not birth control, we all know that. women who seek abortions do so for very good reasons. abortion is a traumatic experience that you may never get over. having the baby is also very very traumatic. and you will definitely never get over that. bottom line: each woman chooses what she wants. you wouldn't want someone to force you to have an abortion. you wouldn't want to be forced to have a baby. people don't choose to become pregnant, unfortunately sometimes it does just happen, even when you try to prevent it. it's just unfortunate. women ending pregnancy has existed in every culture all over the globe, from the beginning of time. it's not gonna change ever. nobody wants to go through an abortion, it's not like its the next fun in-thing to do.

there have been cases where babies prematurely born at 20 weeks survived and have grown into healthy normal adults. think about that before you opt for an abortion.

Speaking of soapbox, what are the statistics that you base your comment of contributing "to the overpopulation of unwanted children?" What constitutes 'overpopulation?' And how do you know all of these children are unwanted? Now those are absurd comments. Crawl back under your soapbox and don't come back unless informed and armed with statistics.

Also, if someone comes to a PUBLIC forum, they will get a multitude of varying responses - especially on a subject as controversial as abortion. You have a right to your opinion as do others you may not agree with. Get over yourself.

Since you brought it up, you really should go back and read your bible. You are right about judging. We should not do that. We should not be telling this woman that she is an evil or horrible person for even considering abortion. No one knows her heart. However, we do have a right (and are commanded by God) to encourage her (or anyone) to do what is "righteous and good in the eyes of the Lord." He is the absolute standard for what is right and wrong - Absolute Truth. Jesus said, "Who so shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me" (Matt.18:5) Also, Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knows us before He knits us in the womb. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of God’s active role in our creation and formation in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as the penalty for someone who commits murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb as just as much of a human being as a full-grown adult. So, you see, God has made it pretty clear what HIS judgement is on the matter of abortion. People who support this are not standing in judgment of someone else, they are standing in support of God's judgement. And for those who may read this and roll their eyes chalking it up to another bible thumping statement...just because you don't agree with Truth does not mean that it isn't the Truth. You can't find Truth within yourself. God is the only basis by which we should judge what is right and wrong.

you should not have waited until you are 20 weeks. I am very pro choice but seriously you should not be having an abortion at 20 weeks, the baby is a true live person at that point. You are old enough to know that if you dont want to get pregnant you need to get your tubes tied or take birth control and condoms. It would be one thing if you werent far along but you have had way to much time to do something.
If you dont want to be in this situation again make smarter decisions and protect yourself from getting pregnant please.
Good luck with whatever choice you make you are the one that has to live with whatever decision you make.

There have been no babies born at 18 or 20 weeks that have survived. The person claiming to have worked in an NICU isn't telling you the truth. There was a miracle baby that was born at almost 22 weeks and lived, but that is very, very unusual.

Give it up for adoption, there are many couples that would love you child as their own.

Good luck.

I myself did not want another baby because of some personal issues in my current relationship and $$$. I could never go thru with an abortion, but everyone has to make up there own mind on that. At 4 weeks I was depressed too, but now at 20 weeks, I'm getting use to the idea. I know I will love this one as much as my others. God gives only what you can handle. But there is always adoption. DO NOT hurt yourself!!! Seek help immediately if you want to harm yourself. At 20 weeks and still feeling like you just can't raise this child, just give it up for adoption. I don't judge anyone on the decisions they make. Some people have just never been in other's situations and don't know how they would actually handle it. Those people need to stop judging and try to give positive advice. These women don't need to be yelled at or given negative comments! They need your help and that's y they are here! Good luck to all of you. I was in your shoes, but now I am getting use to the idea and even getting a little anxious.

I would suggest maybe thinking about adoption. If you have a miscarriage now, which is highly unlikely, it will take a huge toll on your body and mind. Many people are looking for babies, if you can't handle another child in your life I would talk to an adoption agency. They may be able to find you parents before the baby is even born. I hope that helps.

I am 20 weeks too. I know you feel desperate today but you may feel differently about this soon. If you do something radical you may have to live with it the rest of your life as my own sister does. She has never healed over her abortion.

I desperately thought I wanted a boy and just found out I am having a girl. Then my husband suggested we name her after my mother and my whole perspective changed. I am now excited to have my third girl. Last week I was convinced that my only option was to move and then after prayer I realized I was better off staying where I am. Although my life is far from perfect, I have learned when I surrender decisions I can't handle or make clearly to God he always provides a better answer than I could have ever thought up. You may need someone to help you with this. I would suggest going to a local church and finding someone there who can pray with you and talk with you that you feel you can trust.

Also, eventhough everything looks hopeless now, God planted this life in you for a reason and has a wonderful plan not only for this baby but for you as well, even if you are having trouble seeing it. Someday you will be so happy to have this gorgeous, smart, and amazing child in your life.
God will send his angels to surround and protect you if you will just ask for His help. He will send you the people and resources you need and if you ask in faith, God will also send a partner who will help you love and raise this child.

Please talk to someone face to face who has an eternal perspective on these issues whether Catholic or Protestant who you feel you can talk with. The world will only offer you solutions that ultimately seem to solve the problem for a moment but end up causing long term suffering and pain and lead not only to physical death of a child but your own emotional and spiritual death as well. You are more than just a physical body, you have a soul and emotions as well that will be deeply scarred.

Turn this situation over to the God who created the heavens and the earth, you, and this new life growing inside of you and you will not be dissapointed. A friend of mine, a famous singer got pregnant on a one night stand with a guy that turned out not to be a good partner for her but is a good father to the child. She now sees her child as the best mistake she ever made. He is gorgeous and smart and just got three wedding proposals tonight at the playground. All of which he turned down. My four year old daughter was devastated.

This woman is now 42 and desperately wants another child although she is afraid to committ to the new man she loves. I wonder if she will ever be able to have another child. It is such a miracle you are pregnant at 41.

Sometimes the greatest blessings in our lives come in devasting and depressing looking packages. Please, just wait to open this package. It may turn out to be the greatest gift you will ever receive. You wouldn't want to return it and miss the joy this life will bring to you and so many others. Your local church is more than willing to help you. The Alpha course, which is a refresher course on Christianity, may help you see this burden for the blessing that it is. The world's way of looking at this situation and your own way of seeing it is much smaller than the vast and awesome take God has on it. This course is offered in many churches and might help you begin to understand the vast love and amazing plans God has for you and this new life. It is offered in churches across all denominations, Protestant and Catholic.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. It is certainly not
an easy journey, but you can make it with God's help. Just don't try to do it on your own. You need people who know God's plans for you and this baby who have a broader perspective. If you make the decision based on
your own feelings and how you alone perceive the situation that's when you risk making a rash decision and judgement call you will regret and cannot do over. You don't want to be like one of my friends who had an abortion and is always looking at others children wondering if hers would have looked or acted that way or said those things. She is a very sad person taking many antidepressants now.

You are loved by God and things that seem impossible are not impossible when entrusted into his hands. His mind and his hands are much more capable than ours. Try them out. His perfect love can cast out all of your fears and resurrect all of your dashed dreams.
If you would like more help you can write me at *******
I can get you in touch with my friend who had an abortion and then later a child at 38 as well.

You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Kay

I miscarried 2 weeks ago at 9w1d. I am 35 yo with other medical conditions. I can't believe someone who is 41 years old, with previous children, would get to 20 weeks gestation and then want to miscarry/abort. That is too far along, the baby is alive and you would actually have a stillbirth. It doesn't just go away. You would have to bury the baby if this happened and you went to the hospital. I have friends that had stillbirths at 4 1/2 and 5 months pregnant.

Please do consider adoption. It wouldn't cost you anything and you would give that child a chance at a decent future.

We are TTC again even with my health issues, we want a child. I have 3 children from a previous marriage but my current husband does not.

I had an abortion MANY years ago (I was 13 - 22 years ago). I chose to do that then, but that was under way different circumstances. I know what it feels like. I also know how I feel every anniversary of that (Feb 8). Don't make a choice that you will regret.

Enough is enough...Wow. She asked a question. If you don't know the answer, move on with your day instead of seizing this opportunity to feel great about your moral stance at someone else's expense.

I digress.. In reply to the poster's question:

Few things cause miscarriage or stillbirth this late in your pregnancy. Common causes of miscarriage include Listeria infection (caused by eating certain soft cheeses), exposure to certain biological agents, smoking, drinking, thyroid problems and and hypertension (high blood pressure) have all been linked with stillbirth.

However, smoking a thousand cigaettes a day pobably won't kill the fetus, nor will drinking excessively or taking high doeses of medication. In fact, most of the things that would cause stillbirth will probably harm you.

If you truly do not want to be pregnant, then the safest, most sensible option for you is to have a surgical abortion. They do offer programs which (under the funding of private donors) enable financially disadvantaged women to obtain abortion services.

Midwives used to specialize in these things. There was no shame in realizing that you could not care for a child. Alas, here we are, with the Christian right still vying for control of women's bodies. Godd luck with whatever you decide, and I hope and pray for your safety and well being.

I think you have surpassed the realm of what is considered a 'reasonable' time to receive an abortion. Consider this, right now we have the technology to help severely premature babies survive outside of the womb at 20-22 weeks of pregnancy. They have nerve endings that can respond to pain, light and sound...I think it would be cruel and unusually sadistic to abort this child now.

I truly sympathize with your situation and no child should come into this world, into a situation where there aren't wanted or loved. Thankfully, you DO have options...and really GOOD ones. An option that won't hurt you or your child physically. I urge you to contact your local adoption resources honey...honestly, if I could share with you the stories from my friends who are infertile--they are too numerous to list here. But I can tell you that they would move heaven and earth to give your baby a good, happy and safe home. Please consider this option first before you do something that you can't take back.

***deleted by moderator***this isn't a comedy club***