Botched abortion triggers lawsuit
Woman alleges Planned Parenthood inflicted 'catastrophic perforation'




Posted: September 05, 2007
1:00 am Eastern




Meryl Severson hides from photographers (Operation Rescue photo)

A lawsuit has been filed against Planned Parenthood's business in Lincoln, Neb., over an abortion that left a woman with a "catastrophic perforation" of her uterus, which could have killed her had not two hospital physicians performed an emergency hysterectomy.
It is the latest in a list of lawsuits launched against the abortion provider over its treatment of women who come into its places of business.

The action was filed on behalf of a 40-year-old Nebraska woman, whose name was not included in the lawsuit, against the Lincoln Planned Parenthood location, and Dr. Meryl Severson of Omaha, who did the abortion.




According to the Lincoln Star-Journal, Chris Funk is president of the Planned Parenthood facility, and declined comment on the action. Severson could not be reached.



The lawsuit says the woman went into the abortion business Aug. 17 for an abortion at about eight weeks of pregnancy. After waiting for several hours, the woman was given an injection, and she then heard a suction sound, felt pressure in the uterus and "immediately complained of excruciating pain," the lawsuit said.



She told Severson and the attendants to stop, but the doctor replied, "We can't stop," the lawsuit said. Three staff members then held her down as Severson completed the abortion, the complaint said.



Afterwards, the woman suffered bleeding, sharp pains and nausea, and she passed out and suffered the first of several seizures while in the abortion business' recovery area, the lawsuit said. It said she ultimately lost about 80 percent of the blood a normal human has.

Fire and rescue crews were sent to the clinic, where they picked her up and took her to a hospital, and there a doctor's report confirmed she had suffered a "catastrophic perforation" of the uterus.



The "extensive nature of the trauma," the lawsuit said, caused the doctor to seek help from a second physician to complete the emergency surgery to repair the damage, documented by photographs taken by the doctors.

In a signed summary submitted with the case, the emergency room doctor said, "Had she not received emergency care when she did, it is my professional opinion that the patient could have hemorrhaged to death," the doctor said.

Her lawyer, Jefferson Downing of Lincoln, also said he filed a complaint over the treatment with the state Health and Human Services Department.



"Our client has filed these complaints to bring to light the negligent actions of Planned Parenthood and Dr. Severson,” Downing said in a prepared statement. He said the woman's real name was not being revealed to protect her privacy.

The lawsuit, which alleges negligence and battery, is seeking nearly $37,000 in medical expenses plus unspecified damages for physical pain and mental suffering as well as permanent injury.



"This is yet another horror story from a Planned Parenthood abortion mill," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "How many women has this happened to that have not filed lawsuits? When we see stories like this, we know it is just the tip of the iceberg."

The pro-life organization said Severson splits his time between three abortion businesses in Lincoln and Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa.



"People need to be aware that when they walk into a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, they may not walk out," said Newman.

Only weeks earlier, a lawsuit was filed in Warren County, Ohio, against Planned Parenthood, alleging the facility provided an abortion to a teenage girl after a father sought the procedure to cover up his sexual abuse of the teen.

Dana Cody, a lawyer who filed the action on behalf of the girl, said rather than report the abuse, as required under state law, "Planned Parenthood went ahead and was complicit with the abortion."



The abuse continued for about another 18 months before it was reported by a basketball coach, and the father eventually was convicted of sexual assault.

As WND reported earlier, Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties also is facing a damage lawsuit for the death of a woman who died of toxic shock syndrome after a clinic worker found – but did not treat – a serious infection.



The medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit was brought earlier this year by Aletheia Meloncon, whose 21-year-old daughter, Edrica Goode, died on Valentine's Day of this year. The Riverside County coroner, in fact, concluded that Goode died of "toxic shock syndrome secondary to retained laminaria cervical dilators."



The case is being handled by Jack M. Schuler, the senior trial lawyer for the Schuler and Brown law firm. He is a trial specialist and has handled cases of personal injury, wrongful death, product liability and intellectual property disputes.

He said the situation goes beyond an ordinary malpractice or negligent death case, because it has happened before.



"Any health care provider in California is required to make a report to [the state] about any unusual occurrences. This is the third death of a Planned Parenthood patient within the last few years they haven't bothered to report. In fact, they were even cited by the California Department of Health for that failure, and agreed a few years ago to correct their manner of doing business."



"I believe that takes it out of the area of negligence and into potential concealment," he told WND.

Jim Sedlak, a spokesman for the STOPP project of the American Life League noted that there have been multiple complaints about Planned Parenthood mistreating patients.



"Planned Parenthood, although it proclaims itself as a trusted healthcare organization, has been involved in a number of lawsuits involving malpractice. It has been involved in the deaths of patients, [including the death of] Holly Patterson, in California, who died after getting a medical abortion," Sedlak told WND. He said in that case, a contributing factor was that Planned Parenthood deviated from the FDA-approved regimen.

He noted that Planned Parenthood clinics in both Los Angeles and New York have been ordered closed at times because of regulators' concerns over their health care delivery.


The Texas-based pro-life group Life Dynamics also conducted an extensive undercover project in which an adult volunteer posing as a 13-year-old called every Planned Parenthood clinic in the U.S., saying she was pregnant by a 22-year-old boyfriend. Almost without exception, the clinics advised her to obtain an abortion without her parents' knowledge and told her how to protect her boyfriend, who would be guilty in any state of statutory rape.

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Attn: Aborting Cowards ... Click HERE, IF you've got the guts(?)

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Partial-Birth Abortion


These color illustrations of a partial-birth abortion were prepared on the basis of an instructional paper by an Ohio abortionist, explaining step by step how he performs the procedure. These drawings accurately depict a partial-birth abortion being performed on a baby at 24 weeks gestational age. Most partial-birth abortions are performed in the 20-26 week range (the fifth and sixth months), and some are performed even later. Artwork by Tanja Butler. Letters from medical authorities affirming the accuracy of these drawings are posted below.

For better viewing, click on images to enlarge:






Letter from Anthony P. Levatino, M.D., J.D., former abortionist, explaining that the images shown above "accurately depict" the partial-birth abortion method, and that "the images are size-appropriate to a fetus of approximately 24 weeks gestation." -- March 4, 2003
(PDF document -- requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Letter from Watson A. Bowes, Jr., M.D., co-editor-in-chief of the journal Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, explaining that the images shown above "accurately depict" the partial-birth abortion method being used on "a fetus of approximately 24 weeks gestation." -- March 6, 2003
(PDF document -- requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)


The Partial Birth Abortion Procedure


Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps.


The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.


The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.


The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole...


The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.











Legal Methods Of Abortion

The definition of abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before the time of birth. The National Abortion Federation defines abortion as the removal of a fetus from the uterus before it is mature enough to live on its own.


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90% of abortions are done in the first trimester (the first three months of life.)


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Medical Abortion
In the first seven weeks of pregnancy a medical abortion is most commonly done. One of two drugs is given by a doctor to the mother to induce the abortion. Methotrexate or Mifepristone were originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cancer but were found to also end a pregnancy.

After an injection of Methotrexate, the fetal cells stop dividing and growing. Mifepristone also known as RU486 blocks the hormone progesterone. Without this hormone the pregnancy cannot continue. Progesterone keeps the uterus walls intact. When there is no progesterone the healthy blood vessels that are fed breakdown and the fetus detaches from the wall. The cervix then softens and the uterine muscles contract.

Commonly after a few days have passed, and after having taken either one of these drugs, a second drug named Misoprostol is administered. It is a pill that can be taken orally or inserted into the vagina area, which starts the uterus to contract and then expels what is left of the fetus. This method can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, very heavy bleeding, and diarrhea.


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Chemical Abortion
The "morning after pill" is a high dosage of the well known birth control pill. It is used after sexual intercourse, over a 72 hour period, to either prevent or terminate an early pregnancy. No thorough testing has been done to confirm the safety of this practice, or the safety of repeatedly using this practice.

The "morning after pill" works in one of three ways: 1. The egg is not released (stops ovulation) 2. The menstrual cycle is altered (delayed ovulation) 3. The fetus is unable to attach itself to the uterus; therefore, this emergency contraception is called a chemical abortion.


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10% of abortions are done in the second and third trimeters (between thirteen to forty weeks).


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Surgical Abortion
The most common kind of abortion in the first trimester is a surgical abortion. There are three different types. These are done within thirteen to fifteen weeks since the woman's last menstrual period.

The most widely used of the three during the first trimester is the vacuum abortion. A local anesthetic is used to numb the cervix and then the opening to the cervix is dilated. A sharp-edged plastic tube from a suction machine is inserted into the uterus. The suction machine sucks out pieces of the fetus and the placenta. A sharp spoon-shaped instrument, known as a curette, is used by the doctor to remove remaining parts of placenta or fetus. It takes five to ten minutes to perform and the woman can have infections as well as uterus damage.

The second type of surgical abortion is called a dilation and evacuation (D&E). Most of the time, this procedure is done in an outpatient clinic but also is done in a hospital. It is performed in the early stage of the second trimester under general anesthesia. The cervix is enlarged in order to remove the body because the fetus is larger now. Many times the head must be crushed to remove the body.

Suction alone does not remove all parts and placenta so surgical forceps are used. This process twists and tears the fetus' skin and bones. The curette is used to remove anything that remains. The woman now is at greater risk of infection and complications. In most, all of these procedures drugs and/or anesthesia are given to the mother but nothing is given to the fetus.

In the later part of the second trimester, a third surgical method is used. This is called the instillation or induction method. For this procedure, the woman goes to a hospital and general anesthesia is used.

The doctor injects prostaglandin or urea medication and saline (salt water) solution, which are very strong chemicals, into the uterus through the abdomen. The fetus breathes and swallows the saline solution, burning and poisoning the fetus. Many times it causes the fetus to convulse. It takes over an hour to complete the procedure. The mother must still deliver the dead fetus which can take up to 48 hours of labor. Babies aborted in this manner are called "candy apple" babies because the burning of the skin causes the whole body to turn red.

There are even higher risks to the mother. Pain and infections are greater and the stay in the hospital is longer. There can be many complications including blood clots. Surgical punctures or tears, and in some cases legs, arms and other body parts are left inside the uterus. This is called an incomplete abortion, which requires a second abortion. The ultimate risk can be death for the mother.


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Partial Birth Abortion
During this procedure, the doctor turns the fetus so that the feet will come out first and the fetus will be pointed down. The doctor pulls out the fetus' feet first until all but the fetus' head and neck are delivered. With the fetus usually kicking, moving, and sometimes crying, the doctor places his index and ring fingers over the baby's shoulders.

Finding the base of the fetus' skull the doctor uses a blunt-tipped scissors to jam into the skull. He opens the scissors so that it makes a large opening. The doctor removes the scissors, inserts a suction catheter to the wound, and sucks out the brain. When this is done the skull collapses and it is now small enough to remove from the mother's body. Next, the placenta is removed with forceps and the uterine walls are scraped.


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Prostaglandin Abortion
Prostaglandin abortion is done by injecting prostaglandin hormones into the amniotic sac, which induces strong labor and causes the fetus to be born so prematurely that most do not survive. Urea or saline are injected repeatedly into the amniotic sac before the prostaglandin is injected. This is done to make labor less stressful for the mother and doctor, but the fetus remains alive longer.


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Hysterotomy Abortion
Hysterotomy abortions are performed the same as a cesarean delivery. This is a preferred method when a tubal ligation (sterilization) is wanted at the same time.


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D&X Abortions or Late Term Abortions
In the third trimester, abortions are called D & X or late-term abortions. They are performed after twenty-three weeks.This kind of abortion can be done all the way up to the due date. Usually an ultrasound is done to find the feet of the unborn baby then the doctor inserts a forceps through the cervix into the uterus and grabs a leg or foot. The fetus is pulled and scraped until it is removed from the uterus. If the baby comes out alive, it is left to die. Usually, the baby comes out in pieces.







LATE TERM ABORTIONS

...are against the law in every state, except as necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.
Given that a woman's life or health is at stake, why should her abdomen and uterus have to be sliced open in major surgery in order to remove the fetus?
Why should a woman be forced to undergo disfiguring major surgery if that's not necessary to extract a fetus that is either already dead or not going to survive anyway?

It makes no sense at all.
It makes no sense, that is, unless an ulterior concurrent political agenda is to mutilate the mother, and subject her to unnecessary additional risk.
The fact is: there is no such thing as a "partial birth abortion!"
The medical terminology (euphemism if you like, but not for "birth") is called Dilation and Extraction. Healthy, viable fetuses that don't put their mother's life and health at risk aren't being killed for frivolous political or financial reasons, and women aren't subjecting themselves to this relatively expensive and physically difficult procedure because they were too lazy to get an abortion earlier in their pregnancy!
Here is one woman's story about her late-term abortion: https://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2004/01/25/my_late_term_abortion/

Below are a few reasons for the procedure (and do keep them in mind when you view those cute anti-abortion posters of little babies and babies-to-be):

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Gastrochisis. Most of bowel, stomach and liver are outside abdominal cavity.
Sirenomelia (fusion of lower extremities.)
Intrauterine fetal demise resulting from numerous congenital defects.
Craniothoracopagus.
Acephalus acardius.
Acardius.
Anencephaly (no brain) and other deformities.
Rachischisis and iniencephaly. (I.e. not going to live, either.)
A hopeless large rasopharyngeal teratoma.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3

It is amazing at what an early stage after the conception of a human being features of the body such as the heartbeat, hand and feet start developing. The picture of the little feet should give us ample warning that an abortion is not 'the removing of fetal tissue', but the killing of a human being.
The following letter describes the ghastly procedure of an abortion, however, it is written from the perspective of the unborn child. The Holy Bible tells us, "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction." (Proverbs 31:8) Thus, we will speak out for the unborn children. For they are dumb and cannot defend their own rights. This letter shows the great moral corruption in our society when there are legal acts of murder committed in a mother's womb. When there is rebellion against the Christian family concept - the best place for children to be born into. When our lives are so determined by materialism that there is no place for children. Let us repent and let us not be silent in defending the right to life, and let us lovingly accept and welcome life.












Partial Birth Abortion
Is it Really Happening?



Brenda Pratt Shafer, a registered nurse from Dayton, Ohio, assisted Dr. Haskell in a Partial Birth Abortion on a 26-1/2 week (over 6 months) pre-born baby boy. She testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee (on 11/17/95) about what she witnessed. According to nurse Shafer, the baby was alive and moving as the abortionist “delivered the baby’s body and arms - everything but the head. The doctor kept the baby’s head just inside the uterus. The baby’s little fingers were clasping and unclasping, his feet were kicking. Then the doctor stuck the scissors through the back of his head, and the baby’s arms jerked out in a flinch, a startle reaction, like a baby does when he thinks he might fall. The doctor opened up the scissors, stuck a high-powered suction tube into the opening and sucked the baby’s brains out. Now the baby was completely limp.”


With forceps, the doctor turns the baby around in the womb to be positioned feet first. The baby’s legs are pulled out into the birth canal. The baby is alive at this point. .
The abortionist delivers the baby’s entire body, except for the head, which remains inside the birth canal. The baby’s hands and feet move
The abortionist stabs the scissors into the base of the baby’s skull. The scissors are spread to enlarge the opening. The suction catheter is then inserted and the brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The head slides out easily.


ARE THE BABIES ALIVE DURING THE ABORTION?

Yes! On July 11, 1995, American Medical News (AMA’s official journal) submitted the transcript of a tape-recorded interview with abortionist Dr. Martin Haskell to the House Judiciary Committee in which he admitted: “...the majority of fetuses aborted this way (partial birth abortion) are alive until the end of the procedure.”

IS THIS TYPE OF ABORTION RARE?

When this type of procedure first became public knowledge, those defending it said it was only done a few hundred times a year. Then Ron Fitzsimmons, the executive director of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers admitted on ABC’s “Nightline” (11/95) that he had lied when he asserted the procedure was used rarely and only on women whose lives were in danger. The reality is, this gruesome method of killing partially born babies is done many thousands of times a year. Abortionist, Dr. McMahon, admitted in 1995 to performing over 2000 partial birth abortions.

ARE THEY PERFORMED ONLY ON SEVERELY DEFORMED BABIES?

That is what the abortion industry would like you to believe. But Dr. Haskell said in a tape recorded interview with the AMA’s American Medical News: “...and I’ll be quite frank: most of my abortions are elective (not medically necessary) in that 20-24 week range ... In my particular case, probably 20% are for genetic reasons. And the other 80% are purely elective.” An article in the L.A. Times (8/28/96) listed some of the medical reasons for this type of abortion. They included cleft palates, cystic hygroma, (both easily corrected problems) and cystic fibrosis. The medical conditions present in the mother that warranted this type of abortion were, “depression, chicken pox, diabetes, vomiting ...” In other words, even those partial birth abortions that are done for the “health of the mother” or because of a “defective fetus” are often performed for minor, easily correctable conditions. Dr. C. Everett Coop, former U.S. Surgeon General, stated, “... in no way can I twist my mind to see that the late-term abortion as described is a medical necessity for the mother. It certainly can’t be a necessity for the baby.”

IS THIS TYPE OF ABORTION EVER DONE ON THIRD TRIMESTER BABIES?

Yes. While most babies are in their 20th to 24th week when aborted in this manner, babies are aborted as late as the ninth month! This was admitted to by abortionist Dr. McMahon who, in 1995, submitted to the House Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee a graph and explanation that showed he aborted healthy babies even in the third trimester!

As disturbing as this sounds, these are the facts. In this country medical doctors are partially delivering babies and then killing them. These babies are inches from being born. Many could be born and placed directly in the loving arms of childless couples for adoption. Instead, they are cruelly killed. Some call this abortion. No matter what you call it, you cannot alter the reality - 4 more inches out of the womb and this act would be called murder.