More abortions, more complications in PA, new state report shows

Jan 5, 2021 | 0 comments

Compared to two years ago, state reports 1,000 more babies killed annually and tripling of complications from chemical abortions.

As the new year rolled in, the Pennsylvania Department of Health released a report with troubling findings about abortion in our Commonwealth. Here are seven takeaways from the department’s 2019 Abortion Statistics report that details the harsh reality of abortion in Pennsylvania: 

1. Abortions have increased for the second year in a row. 

Sadly, abortions are up by 3% since 2017. The 2019 total of 31,018 abortions is over 1,000 more abortions than just two years prior. This also marks the first time abortions have increased in two straight years since 2001. One in five pregnancies (18.7%) in 2019 resulted in an abortion. 

2. Complications from chemical (medical) abortions have tripled in two years.

There were 285 total complications from abortions in 2019. What’s alarming is if we compare to just two years ago, twice the number of women are now being subjected to complications from abortions in PA (143 in 2017).

There is a correlation with the rise in chemical abortions and more women ending up in the hospital with complications from their abortion. Chemical abortions, termed “medical” abortion by the PA Department of Health, continue to be the leading cause for complications. What is so troubling is the rise in frequency of these complications: nearly three times the number of women were subjected to significant complications from a chemical abortion compared to just two years ago (172 in 2019 compared to 60 in 2017).  

3. Chemical abortions represent nearly half (45%) of all abortions in Pennsylvania.

Chemical abortions have been on the rise for years, up 20% (2,349) from 2017. These chemical abortions now include abortions administered by video – “telemed abortions” or abortion pills taken at home – which is something Planned Parenthood has long pushed to increase. 

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf vetoed a bipartisan pro-life telemedicine bill that would have protected patients, aligned with FDA regulations, and increased the safety of women getting abortions.

4. Hundreds of babies were killed in late-term abortions after 20 weeks in pregnancy. 

The increase in the number of abortions also led to an increase in the number of late-term abortions. In 2019, there were 462 abortions performed after 20 weeks gestation, five more late-term abortions than the previous year. 

Governor Tom Wolf vetoed legislation in 2017 that would have updated Pennsylvania’s abortion limit to 20 weeks in pregnancy. Currently, the abortion limit is 24 weeks gestation set in 1989. Today, thanks to advancements in modern medicine, the majority of babies born at 24 weeks survive when born.

5. Abortions are disproportionately affecting African-American women.

An astounding 44% (13,516) of all Pennsylvania abortions in 2019 were performed on African-American women. This is a disproportionately large number that reflects the abortion industry and Planned Parenthood’s eugenics mindset. African-Americans comprise 12% of Pennsylvania’s population yet nearly half of all our state’s abortions.

6. The vast majority of abortions are to unmarried women. 

Over 87% (27,221) of all abortions in Pennsylvania were performed on unmarried women. This percentage has remained fairly consistent over the years, but the number of abortions to unmarried women is up 3.5% from 2017.  

7. The good news – abortions have been on the decline over the past two decades.

The number of abortions are down 20% since 2008 and down 53% from 1980. Of the Pennsylvania counties that have abortions taking place, over half saw a decrease in the number of abortions performed in 2019. This is good news that is clouded by the fact that Pennsylvania continues to see over 30,000 abortions happen every year.