Abortion: Meaning, Procedures and Other Things You Should Know
A recent leak in the Supreme Court of the United States of America suggests that the country is set to get rid of existing abortion laws, a direct attack on women’s rights and reproductive health. At this stage, it is important to know what abortion means, the stance of Indian courts on abortion, and how to get an abortion.
What is abortion?
An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. It’s also sometimes known as a termination of pregnancy. The pregnancy is ended either by taking medicines or having a surgical procedure.[i]
Is abortion legal in India?
Until the 1960, abortion was illegal in India, and was a punishable crime. It was only in the early 1970s that abortion became a legal procedure with the passing of The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971. Under the MTP, it is legal to carry out an abortion at any time up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Termination is allowed under the following circumstances.
- If continuing with the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother’s life
- If the pregnancy has the potential to cause grave injury to the mother’s physical or mental health
- If there is a significant risk of the child being born with a serious handicap arising from physical or mental abnormalities
- If the pregnancy has occurred because of rape
- If the pregnancy is a result of failure of contraceptives used by a married woman or her husband
In case a minor girl is pregnant, consent is required on behalf of the parent or guardian to perform the abortion, and doctors are legally obligated to inform the police as this is treated as a case of statutory rape.
The MTP Act also offers room for termination of the pregnancy even after the prescribed 20 weeks have passed, provided a court has authorised such a termination in case of exceptional circumstances.[ii]
Fact to Know: The name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated cannot be revealed except to a person authorised by law.
Are abortions dangerous?
When the right protocols are followed in a safe environment, abortions are safe, and there is less than a 1% risk of having a medical complication. The risks may be:
- Allergic reaction to the drugs
- Uterine blood clots
- Heavy bleeding following the procedure
- Incomplete termination of pregnancy
- Possibility of infections
- Injury to the cervix, uterine lining, or other organ
What are the different kinds of abortions?
There are two kinds of abortions — the abortion pill and in-clinic abortion.
· Medication abortion (also known as the abortion pill) consists of using two different medicines to end a pregnancy. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus.
· In-clinic abortion (also called a surgical abortion) is a medical procedure. It works by using suction to empty the uterus.[iii]
All women seeking to terminate their pregnancy have a right to have access to a medical team consisting of a gynaecologist, paediatrician, radiologist, and any other special medical practitioners required as per their individual requirements.
Always remember that you have control over your body. There are several resources and communities available online that share verified information on abortion, medical aid and other allied topics. Ensure that you make decisions after conversations with non-judgemental, authorised medical practitioners.
References:
[i] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/
[ii] https://mycarmesi.com/blogs/f/abortion-law-in-india
[iii]https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/ask-experts/what-are-the-different-types-of-abortion
