A Los Angeles Times article in April 1972 — a month before Karman went to Philadelphia — reported that his “method … permits abortions of pregnancies up to the seventh month — or later without the use of either anesthetics or standard metal surgical instruments.”

The Times article went on to describe the Super Coil: “In advanced pregnancies up to the seventh month, Karman inserts one or more small, equally simplified plastic coils into the uterus. When exposed to moisture, the coils expand, inducing a miscarriage within 10-20 hours.”

The Tribune described the instrument as “a series of plastic coils inserted into the uterus. The plastic is supposed to absorb water and expand pushing the fetus out in about 12 hours.” An average fetus at 27 weeks gestation (seven months) is more than a foot long…

Pro-choicers have debated whether Karman was a hero of women or exploiter of women. These days, the pro-choice movement unanimously decries Karman’s former partner, Gosnell.