Legal Definitions - induced abortion

Induced abortion is the intentionaltermination of a pregnancy by artificial means, either by the mother herself or by a third party. This is different from a spontaneous abortion, which is the natural expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it is viable.

In 1973, the Supreme Court recognized a woman's right to choose to end her pregnancy as a privacy right stemming from the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. However, states are allowed to limit this right by enacting legislation that prohibits public facilities or employees from performing abortions, prohibits the use of public funds for family planning that includes information on abortion, or severely limits the right to an abortion after a fetus becomes viable.

There are different types of induced abortions, including:

• Therapeutic abortion: An abortion carried out to preserve the life or health of the mother.
• Late-term abortion: An abortion performed during the latter stages of pregnancy, usually after the middle of the second trimester.
• Partial-birth abortion: An abortion in which a viable fetus is partially delivered before being destroyed.

These examples illustrate the different circumstances in which an induced abortion may be performed. It is important to note that the legality and availability of induced abortions vary by country and state, and the decision to have an abortion is a personal and often complex one.