(abortion) An induced abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. It can be done two different ways: Medication abortion (also called medical abortion); Procedural abortion. An induced abortion is different from a spontaneous abortion. That is the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of pregnancy. It is more commonly known as a miscarriage. If you are thinking of having an induced abortion, talk with your health care provider. Your provider can explain how the procedures are done, as well as the risks and benefits of each.

(induced abortion) Deliberate termination of pregnancy, generally through the use of surgical procedures or drugs.

(abortion, induced) Intentional removal of a fetus from the uterus by any of a number of techniques. (POPLINE, 1978)

In the US, abortion of a previable fetus is legal, although state-specific restrictions (eg, mandatory waiting periods, gestational age restrictions) exist. In the US, about half of pregnancies are unintended. About 40% of unintended pregnancies end in induced abortion; 90% of procedures are done during the 1st trimester.

Abortion, the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it has reached the stage of viability (in human beings, usually about the 20th week of gestation). An abortion may occur spontaneously, in which case it is also called a miscarriage, or it may be brought on purposefully, in which case it is...