From about 20 weeks of pregnancy, late-term abortions may be performed. These procedures are more time-consuming than those described above; they also present increased risks to the woman. ¹⁰ The abortionist inserts dilators to stretch open the cervix. In late-term abortions in US its common practice to stop the baby’s heart beat before abortion using potassium chloride or digoxin. ¹¹ (“Fetocidal procedures” may also be performed in earlier abortions to ensure that live birth does not take place.) ¹² The abortionist completes the termination using D&E procedures described above.

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