aborting

Aborting refers to the ending of a pregnancy. Medically, abortion describes the deliberate termination of a pregnancy; a miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy and is sometimes called spontaneous abortion. Abortion can be sought for medical, personal, or social reasons, and it is distinct from pregnancy loss due to natural causes.

Methods include medical abortion and surgical abortion. Medical abortion uses medications such as mifepristone together with misoprostol to terminate a pregnancy, usually within the first 10 weeks. Surgical abortion typically involves vacuum aspiration in the first trimester and dilation and evacuation for later gestations; anesthesia may be used. Timing, protocols, and required medical oversight vary by country.

Safety and outcomes: When performed legally and with appropriate care, abortions are generally safe, with serious complications being uncommon. The risk of death from abortion is far lower than the risk from continuing an unwanted pregnancy. Access to safe abortion is associated with improvements in maternal health and autonomy; where access is restricted, unsafe procedures and health harms may increase.

Legal and social context: Abortion laws range from permissive to highly restricted. Some jurisdictions require counseling, consent, parental involvement for minors, waiting periods, or mandatory notification. Public funding and insurance coverage vary. Stigma and misinformation can affect access and experiences.

Terminology and ethics: Language around abortion varies; terms such as elective abortion distinguish it from pregnancies terminated for medical reasons. Debates focus on ethics, autonomy, fetal personhood, and public health, but evidence consistently shows abortion as a common, often safe health service when accessible under proper medical care.