Obstetrics and Gynecology - A. M. Gromova 2000

Artificial Abortion

An abortion is the termination of a Pregnancy before 28 weeks, while the fetus is still not viable. A deliberately performed abortion is called induced. Induced Miscarriage was known even in antiquity. Records regarding abortifacient remedies have survived in the works of ancient Greece and Rome. In those ancient times, expulsion of the fetus was considered a grave crime, punishable by death in some cases.

Artificial termination of pregnancy for medical indications was first proposed in 1772 by the Englishman William Cooper in cases of pelvic contraction in a pregnant woman. Nowadays, between 30 and 55 million abortions are performed worldwide every year, which corresponds to 40–70 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age.

There are three MAIN TYPES OF artificial or Induced abortion (abortus artificialis):

1. Abortion performed for medical or social indications.

2. Elective medical abortion requested by the woman.

3. Criminal abortion (illegal, punishable by law).

A distinction should also be made between early artificial termination of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks) and late termination (after 12 weeks and up to 28 weeks). Up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, elective termination may be performed at the woman's request; after 12 weeks, it is permitted only for medical or social indications. This is because, after 12 weeks of gestation, the uterine cavity is large, the fetus is also significantly sized, and ossification of its Skeleton begins. In addition, the Placenta begins to form with its complex hormonal impact on both the Uterus and the woman's body. All of this greatly complicates the Procedure and can lead to severe complications.