127 unborn babies were killed in late-term abortions carried out past 18 weeks gestation in Scotland in 2021.
The latest abortion figures, released by Public Health Scotland, reveal that 13,758 unborn children were killed by abortion in Scotland in 2021.
127 of these deaths were caused by late-term abortions, of which 56 unborn babies were killed between 18-19 weeks gestation, and 71 unborn babies were killed past 20 weeks gestation.
Brutal late-term abortion methods
Surgical abortions that are carried out in the second trimester of pregnancy involve using a sopher clamp to grasp and rip the limbs of the baby. The head is clamped and crushed, and the abortionist must assemble the body parts on a tray to ensure that no remains are left in the mother’s womb.
During some abortions carried out in the third trimester of pregnancy, a lethal injection of potassium chloride into the unborn baby’s heart is administered, which causes the baby to go into cardiac arrest and die.
SPUC’s Michael Robinson, Executive Director (Public Affairs and Legal Services), said: “It has been reported that potassium chloride is so excruciatingly painful that both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the authorities in charge of USA executions consider it necessary to give an anaesthetic to the subject first to avoid pain and suffering.
“It is disgusting that the tiniest and most vulnerable humans amongst us are treated in this inhumane and brutal way.”
Late-term abortion in Britain is widespread
In a 2018 parliamentary question, Sir John Hayes MP asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care how many abortions were performed after 20 weeks gestation during the last five years.
The answer revealed that the number rose by 30% from 2013. Over 15,000 unborn babies in Britain have been killed during this stage of development between 2013 and 2021.
SPUC’s Mr Robinson added: “At 20 weeks gestation an unborn baby has long since had a functioning brain and a beating heart. He or she will be about 20cm long from crown to rump and weigh nearly 500g. A baby at this age will also react to painful stimuli. These are defenceless human lives that we have a duty to protect.
“Abortion is an abhorrent practice that has no place in a so-called civilised society.”