Abortion is the termination of pregnancy before birth, resulting in,
or accompanied by, the death of the fetus. Some abortions occur
naturally because a fetus does not develop normally. Or because the
mother has an injury or disorder that prevents her from carrying the
pregnancy to a full term. This type of abortion is commonly known as a
miscarriage. Other abortions are induced. Induced abortions are
intentionally brought on, either because a pregnancy is unwanted or
presents a risk to a woman's health. Induced abortion has become one of
the most ethical and philosophical issues of the late 20th century.
Modern medical techniques have made induced abortions simpler and
less dangerous. But in the United States, the debate over abortion has led
to legal battles in the courts, in the Congress of the United States, and
state legislatures. It has proven to be spilled over into confrontations,
which are sometimes violent, at clinics where abortions are performed.
There are many different methods in having an abortion. Induced
abortions are performed using one of several methods. The safest and
most useful and appropriate method is determined by the age of the
fetus, or the length of pregnancy, which is calculated from the beginning
of the pregnant woman's last menstrual period. Most pregnancies last an
average of 39 to 40 weeks, about 9 months. This period of time is broken
up into three parts known as trimesters. The first trimester is the first 13
weeks, the second trimester is from the 14 to 24 week and the third
trimester lasts from the 25th week to birth. Abortions in the first
trimester of pregnancy are easier and safer to perform, that is because the
fetus is smaller. Abortions in the second and third trimesters are more
complicated procedures, which present greater risks to a woman's health.
In the United States, a pregnant woman's risk ...