The MTP Act of 1971 legalized abortion in India and decriminalized women seeking abortions. It aimed to improve maternal health by preventing unsafe abortions and the resulting maternal mortality and morbidity. The Act allows for medical termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks by a registered medical practitioner, and from 12-20 weeks by two registered practitioners, in approved facilities. Recent amendments in 2021 simplified registration of abortion sites at the district level, potentially increasing access to safe abortion services within the legal framework.

1. MTP ACT
Presented By,
DEVIKA SURESH BABU

2. INTRODUCTION:
Have you wondered why the law on abortion in India ?
That is the medical termination of pregnancy act 1971 , doesnot use the word ‘ Abortion ’.
The need for an abortion law in India started in 1960s at
that time, abortion were strictly illegal under section 312 of Indian Panel
Code 1860 causing miscarriage of women was a crime punishable with
imprisonment upto 3years.
The committee carried out a review of legal , medical and
socio cultural aspects of abortion and law on comprehensive abortion care.
It recommendation eventually led to passing of act 1971 , which allows for
only medical termination of pregnancy.

3. DEFINITION:
“ An act to provide for termination of certain pregnancies
by registered medical practitioner and for matters
connected therewith and incidental thereto.”
[ Act No: 34 of 1971]
(Deliberate termination of pregnancy either by medical and
surgical method before the viability of the fetus is called
induction of abortion.)

4. AIMS:
● Legalizes abortion services
● Decriminalizes abortion seekers
● To improve maternal health by preventing large
number of unsafe abortions.
● It provides opportunity to motivate women for
adopting some forms of contraception .
● Promote access to safe abortion services to women

5. OBJECTIVES:
● To improve the maternal health scenario by preventing large
number of unsafe abortion and consequent high incidence of
meternal mortality and morbidity.
● To regulate and ensure access to safe abortion care and defines
‘when’ , ‘where’ , and under ‘what’ condition abortion is
permissible.
● Offers protection to medical practitioners who otherwise would be
penalized under Indian Penal code.
● Health care measures which helps to reduce maternal mortality and
morbidity resulting from illegal abortion.

6. CONDITION UNDER WHICH PREGNANCY
CAN BE TERMINATED:
1. Medical: Grave injury to physical , mental health of mother if
pregnancy is continued.
2. Eugenic : Substantial risk to child serious handicap due to
physical or mental abnormality .
3. Humanitarian : Pregnancy as a result of rape.
4. Socioeconomic : Risk of health of mother
5. Failure of contraceptive devices.

7. INDICATION FOR EARLY MEDICAL ABORTION:
General condition to be fulfilled ;
● Frame of mind of the patient and her acceptability of minimum 3
follow up visits.
● Ready for surgical procedures if failure or excessive bleeding
occurs.
● Family support .
● Permission of guardian in case of minor as per MTP Act(1971).
● Easy access to appropriate health care facility.

8. MEDICAL METHOD OF 1ST TRIMINISTER ABORTION:
● Mifepristone with misoprostol for medical abortion
(before 7 weeks)
CHOICE BETWEEN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL ABORTION:
● Vacuum aspiration (suction evacuation)
● Surgical abortion is preferred if the patient concurrent tubal ligation.

9. PERSON WHO CAN PERFORM SUCH TERMINATION :
UPTO 12 WEEKS :
● Registered medical practitioner (RMP) having experience in obstetric and
gynecology .
● PG in O & B
● MBBS trained for MTP
12 - 20 WEEKS :
● Two registered medical practitioners having experienced in obstetrics and
gynecology.

10. PLACE FOR CONDUCTING MTP :
● A hospital established or maintained by government
● A place approved for the purpose of this act by a district level
committee constituted by the government with the CMHO as
chairperson.
● A clinic ( but doctor need to be attached to government
approved MTP centre).

11. COMPLICATIONS OF MTP:
● Injury to cervix (cervix laceration)
● Uterine perforation during D & C
● Thrombosis and embolism
● Hemorrhage and shock due to trauma.

12. MTP ACT AMENDMENT 2021:

14. IMPLICATIONS OF AMENDMENTS:
● Simplifies registration of sites which can be done at district level
now
● Providers can get their sites approved for providing abortions under
MTP Act for first trimister only or upto 20 weeks and there by come
under protective cover of MTP Act
● Offers potential to increase number of approved sites , which would
enable women to access safe abortion services
● Effective implementation will help to bring all abortion within legal
frame work