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Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus.[nb 1] An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of all pregnancies.[2][3] When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion, or less frequently "induced miscarriage". The unmodified word abortion generally refers to an induced abortion.[4][5] The most common reasons women give for having an abortion are for birth-timing and limiting family size.[6][7][8] Other reasons reported include maternal health, an inability to afford a child, domestic violence, lack of support, feeling they are too young, wishing to complete education or advance a career, and not being able or willing to raise a child conceived as a result of rape or incest.[6][8][9]
Abortion
Other names
Induced miscarriage, termination of pregnancy
Specialty
Obstetrics and gynecology
ICD-10-PCS
10A0
ICD-9-CM
779.6
MeSH
D000028
MedlinePlus
007382
eMedicine
252560
[edit on Wikidata]
When done legally in industrialized societies, induced abortion is one of the safest procedures in medicine.[10]: 1 [11] Unsafe abortions—those performed by people lacking the necessary skills, or in inadequately resourced settings—are responsible for between 5–13% of maternal deaths, especially in the developing world.[12] However, medication abortions that are self-managed are highly effective and safe throughout the first trimester.[13][14][15] Public health data shows that making safe abortion legal and accessible reduces maternal deaths.[16][17]
Modern methods use medication or surgery for abortions.[18] The drug mifepristone in combination with prostaglandin appears to be as safe and effective as surgery during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.[18][19] The most common surgical technique involves dilating the cervix and using a suction device.[20] Birth control, such as the pill or intrauterine devices, can be used immediately following abortion.[19] When performed legally and safely on a woman who desires it, induced abortions do not increase the risk of long-term mental or physical problems.[21] In contrast, unsafe abortions performed by unskilled individuals, with hazardous equipment, or in unsanitary facilities cause between 22,000 and 44,000 deaths and 6.9 million hospital admissions each year.[22] The World Health Organization states that "access to legal, safe and compr
