Legal Definitions - procuring an abortion

Definition: Procuring an abortion is the act of intentionally ending a pregnancy by artificial means, such as medication or surgery.

For example, a woman may choose to procure an abortion if she does not want to continue her pregnancy for personal or medical reasons. However, laws and regulations regarding abortion vary by state and country.

In the United States, the Supreme Court has 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 abortions, including:

• Induced abortion: An abortion purposely and artificially caused either by the mother herself or by a third party.
• 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.
• Spontaneous abortion: Also known as a miscarriage, this is the spontaneous expulsion of an embryo or fetus before viability.
• Therapeutic abortion: An abortion carried out to preserve the life or health of the mother.

These examples illustrate the different circumstances and methods in which an abortion may be procured. It is important to note that the decision to procure an abortion is a personal and often complex one, and individuals should have access to safe and legal options for their reproductive health.