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Chemical and surgical abortions increased in Wisconsin in 2009, state report shows
PLW Letterhead

Monday, September 27, 2010


The state of Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently released its annual report on induced abortions in Wisconsin. The total number of abortions in Wisconsin  in 2009 was 8,542, up from 8,229 in 2008.

This is the first increase in the number of abortions since 2003.

Statistics show the use of mifepristone/misoprostol has risen while surgical abortions have declined. This drug regimen, commonly known as RU-486, results in a chemical abortion. Both chemical and surgical abortions are reported to the state of Wisconsin and are covered by the statistics.

“With the rising use of mifepristone/misoprostol, increasing numbers of women are left to abort their babies alone in their homes, without any medical care or emotional support,” stated Virginia Zignego, communications director. “This is not progress for Wisconsin women; it is a tragedy.”

Of the 8,542 reported abortions in 2009, 72 percent were surgical, 27 percent were chemically induced, and 0.6 percent were surgical procedures following a failed or incomplete chemically induced termination of pregnancy. In 2008, these proportions were 80 percent, 19 percent, and 0.4 percent, respectively.

According to a LifeSiteNews article, one out of four babies aborted early in the United States is killed by these abortion pills rather than a surgical procedure.

The chemical abortion method consists of first administering mifepristone, which kills the child before misoprostol is given two days later, a drug that induces the mother to expel the dead baby’s corpse.

These numbers of chemical abortions do not include the use of the morning after pill and other forms of hormonal birth control, which can cause a pre-implantation abortion, and are sold over the counter.

Click here to read the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services report on 2009 abortions in Wisconsin.

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2010

Contact: Virginia Zignego, Communications Director, 262-796-1111, cell (262) 370-3993;
Peggy Hamill, State Director, (262) 796-1111, cell (414) 416-0489