Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removing or expelling the fetus from the uterus, resulting in its death. Abortions can occur spontaneously due to complications or be induced. Historically, abortions were induced through herbal medicines, physical trauma, or modern pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures. The legality and social views of abortion vary globally and are often controversial issues regarding ethics and law. Spontaneous abortions, also known as miscarriages, occur naturally before 22 weeks of gestation. Medical abortions use pills to terminate early pregnancies, while surgical abortions like vacuum aspiration are performed later in pregnancy. Potential complications of abortions include bleeding, cramps, nausea, and fever.

2.  Is the termination of a
pregnancy by the
removal or expulsion
from the uterus of a
fetus/embryo, resulting
in or caused by its
death. An abortion
can occur
spontaneously due to
complications during
pregnancy or can be
induced, in humans
and other species.

3.  Abortion has a long
history and has been
induced by various
methods including:

4.  Herbal abortifacients.
 The use of sharpened tools, physical
trauma and other traditional methods.
 Contemporary medicine utilizes
medications and surgical procedures to
induce abortion.

5.  Legality, prevalence,
cultural status, and religious
status of abortion vary
substantially around the
world. In many parts of the
world there is prominent
and divisive public
controversy over the
ethical and legal issues of
abortion.
 Incidence of abortion has
declined worldwide as
access to family planning
education and
contraceptive services has
increased

6.  Spontaneous abortion (also known as
miscarriage) is the expulsion of an
embryo or fetus due to accidental
trauma or natural causes before
approximately the 22nd week of
gestation.

7.  A pregnancy can be intentionally
aborted in many ways. The manner
selected depends chiefly upon the
gestational age of the embryo or fetus.

8.  Save the life of the pregnant woman.
 Preserve the woman's physical or mental
health.
 Terminate pregnancy that would result in
a child born with a congenital disorder
that would be fatal or associated with
significant morbidity.

9.  "Medical abortions" are non-surgical
abortions that use pharmaceutical
drugs, and are only effective in the first
trimester of pregnancies.

11.  Also known as
"mini-suction"
and "menstrual
extraction", can
be used in very
early
pregnancy, and
does not require
cervical dilation.

12.  The second most common
method of abortion, is a standard
gynecological procedure
performed for a variety of
reasons.

14.  The abortion pill is a
medicine that ends an
early pregnancy. In
general, it can be
used up to 63 days
after the first day of a
woman's last period.
 The name for "the
abortion pill" is
mifepristone. It was
called RU-486 when it
was being developed.

15.  For most women, medication abortion is
like an early miscarriage. It is normal to
have bleeding and cramping.
 Feel dizzy.
 Feel strong cramps.
 Feel nauseous or vomit .
 Have diarrhea.
 Feel temporary abdominal pain .
 Have temporary mild fever or chills.