Definition of Abortion
Abortion (noun):
a. Termination of pregnancy and expulsion of an embryo or of a fetus that is incapable of survival.
b. Any of various procedures that result in such termination and expulsion. Also called induced abortion.
As stated above, abortion is the termination of a fetus. In other words, the fetus dies, whether by the mother's choice or by accident (such as a miscarriage or stillbirth.) Medically, all terminations of pregnancy not resulting in a live birth are defined as abortions. Each year throughout the world, 45million abortions are performed. Compare this to 128.6 million births per year and you get approximately 35% of fetuses each year that never get a chance to live. When discussing abortion, one aspect to consider is that there are two forms or types of abortions, induced abortions and spontaneous or non-induced abortions. Induced abortions are deliberate, human-induced abortions. Induced abortions are subcategorized into therapeutic abortion and elective abortion. Therapeutic abortions are abortions requested because the pregnancy poses health risk to the pregnant woman. Elective abortions are abortions requested for any other reason by the pregnant woman. There are many reasons for induced abortions. A few of the reasons include but are not limited to:
· Want to postpone childbearing
· Cannot afford a baby
· Has relationship problem or partner does not want pregnancy
· Risk to fetal health
· Risk to maternal health
· Too young; parent(s) or other(s) object to pregnancy
· The mother is a victim of rape or incest.
In some countries such as China, due to policies and social pressures, women have no choice but to perform self-abortions. This is because, in their attempt to control overpopulation, China has a one child per family policy. Other countries throughout the world have similar policies and social pressures, which force sex-selective abortion and infanticide. Although they may be illegal in such countries,
a. Termination of pregnancy and expulsion of an embryo or of a fetus that is incapable of survival.
b. Any of various procedures that result in such termination and expulsion. Also called induced abortion.
As stated above, abortion is the termination of a fetus. In other words, the fetus dies, whether by the mother's choice or by accident (such as a miscarriage or stillbirth.) Medically, all terminations of pregnancy not resulting in a live birth are defined as abortions. Each year throughout the world, 45million abortions are performed. Compare this to 128.6 million births per year and you get approximately 35% of fetuses each year that never get a chance to live. When discussing abortion, one aspect to consider is that there are two forms or types of abortions, induced abortions and spontaneous or non-induced abortions. Induced abortions are deliberate, human-induced abortions. Induced abortions are subcategorized into therapeutic abortion and elective abortion. Therapeutic abortions are abortions requested because the pregnancy poses health risk to the pregnant woman. Elective abortions are abortions requested for any other reason by the pregnant woman. There are many reasons for induced abortions. A few of the reasons include but are not limited to:
· Want to postpone childbearing
· Cannot afford a baby
· Has relationship problem or partner does not want pregnancy
· Risk to fetal health
· Risk to maternal health
· Too young; parent(s) or other(s) object to pregnancy
· The mother is a victim of rape or incest.
In some countries such as China, due to policies and social pressures, women have no choice but to perform self-abortions. This is because, in their attempt to control overpopulation, China has a one child per family policy. Other countries throughout the world have similar policies and social pressures, which force sex-selective abortion and infanticide. Although they may be illegal in such countries,
Cited: Bacon, Beth. World Issues: Abortion. Chrysalis Education, 2005. Currie, Stephen. Abortion. San Diego: Greenhaven P, Inc., 2000 Lassieur, Allison. Abortion. San Diego: Lucent Books, Inc., 2001. "Learn About Abortion Procedures and Abortion Risks." Considering Abortion. 15 Nov. 2005 . The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language. Fourth ed. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.