NPR airs graphic audio of woman getting abortion of 11-week fetus: 'Feels a lot like a childbirth'

National Public Radio this week aired graphic audio recordings of a woman undergoing an abortion of her nearly 12-week-old unborn child, a feature the network broadcast as part of its coverage on "abortion rights" issues around the country. 

The story, bylined by Michigan Radio host Kate Wells, examined "what it's like inside a Michigan abortion clinic, days before the midterm elections." Among the vignettes in the story was one patient who "already [had] one kid" and was "having her abortion at about 11 weeks."

The environment "actually feels a lot like a childbirth," Wells noted at one point, observing "the medical gown, your bare legs in stirrups and a person next to you, saying, you can do this."

The network aired audio of the "aspirator" vacuum running as the abortion was performed, and included sounds of the woman "moaning" as the procedure was carried out. 

"Thank you guys so much," the patient says at one point, expressing hope that she "didn't do too bad." 

"You did great," the doctor tells her. 

The story and audio generated strong backlash from conservatives and others on social media. 

"This is disturbing and evil on every level," the Media Research Center wrote on Twitter.