Top things to know about what defines an abortion
** Abortion is a safe and common way that many pregnancies end.
** Abortion can be completed with a simple procedure, medications, or a combination of both.
** Any reason you no longer want to be pregnant is a valid reason to choose abortion.
** Pregnancy ends in abortion for many people with both wanted and unwanted pregnancies
Abortion is common, safe, effective, and life-saving (1,2). As a Board Certified Obstetrician Gynecologist (OBGYN) who cares for all pregnant people, regardless of their pregnancy outcomes, this is the most important thing I can tell anyone about abortion care. If you’re considering an abortion, or you’ve had an abortion, you are not alone. About one in four women* in the United States will have at least one abortion and many people who have an abortion are already parents.
But, what exactly is considered an abortion? Well, it turns out that it’s not that simple to define. While different governments might have specific legal definitions for abortion, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy, it’s important to understand that these definitions do not reflect the complexity and reality of pregnancy. While there is not one agreed upon medical definition of abortion (1,5–7), this article will explain what might be considered an abortion, how abortion is similar or different to other pregnancy outcomes, why these definitions are important, why people choose abortion, and what to do if you need an abortion.
Important clarifications about some ways pregnancy can end
it’s important to know some common medical terms.
Induced abortion
Induced abortion is what we typically mean when we say “abortion”. Induced abortion is the intentional ending of a pregnancy, through a procedure, medications, or a combination of both.
Terms like “elective abortion” or “therapeutic abortion” are stigmatizing, medically inaccurate, and should no longer be used.
Spontaneous abortion (Miscarriage)
Spontaneous abortion is when a pregnancy ends on its own, or begins to expel from the uterus on its own, usually before 20 weeks of pregnancy (8).
Spontaneous abortion is also called miscarriage or early pregnancy loss. Pregnancy loss after 20-weeks is commonly referred to as stillbirth (9).
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy growing either outside of the uterus or in an atypical location inside the uterus. Some locations of ectopic pregnancies can include: fallopian tube, ovary, cervix, prior cesarean scar, uterine cornua, uterine muscle, abdominal cavity, or even the liver (10–15).
What is classified as abortion?
