Abortion is one of the most common and safest surgical procedures performed in the United States. The CDC has extensive reviews about the risks of legal abortion. Their data has looked at more than 1 million cases done in over 100 sites over the past 25 years. The overall risk of a serious complication in the first trimester is about 1 in 200 cases. The risk of a major complication increases in the second trimester. For the past 10 years Dr. Seletz has had a rate less than 1 in 1000 cases. Factors that increase the risk of a serious complication include obesity, inexperienced doctor, medical problems in the pregnant patient, previous uterine surgery, and uterine abnormalities such as fibroid tumors.

You can still look forward to family. One of the most commonly asked questions is "Can I still have children?" Abortion surveillance studies indicate that abortions performed by experienced doctors have little or no effect on future fertility nor increase the risk of miscarriage.

Facts about abortion: where to find the truth. Many of the Internet sites about abortion are sponsored by anti-choice organizations that use misinformation intended to frighten you. Facts about abortion based on medical evidence can be found at the following pro-choice sites:

The National Abortion Federation has a series of "Fact Sheets" which cover all aspects of abortion. They also have publications to order. Go to www.prochoice.org and choose "Facts."

Planned Parenthood has answers to frequently asked questions about pregnancy, abortion, birth control, and sexually transmitted disease. Go to www.plannedparenthood.org then choose "Research Information" then "Fact Sheets."

Abortion-Clinics-On-Line has information about clinics, pro-choice organizations, birth control, and links to other sites including the CDC. Go to www.gynpages.com then choose "Abortion Choice Links."