Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of a fetus or embryo

from the uterus, resulting in or caused by its death.[1] An abortion can occur spontaneously due to
complications during pregnancy or can be induced, in humans and other species. In the context
of human pregnancies, an abortion induced to preserve the health of the gravida (pregnant
female) is termed a therapeutic abortion, while an abortion induced for any other reason is
termed an elective abortion. The term abortion most commonly refers to the induced abortion of
a human pregnancy, while spontaneous abortions are usually termed miscarriages.

Abortion has a low risk of maternal mortality except for abortions performed unsafely, which
result in 70,000 deaths and 5 million disabilities per year.[2] Abortions are unsafe when
performed by persons without the proper skills or outside of a medically safe environment. An
estimated 42 million abortions are performed annually with 20 million of those abortions done
unsafely.[2] Forty percent of the world's women are able to access therapeutic and elective
abortions within gestational limits.[3]

Abortion has a long history and has been induced by various methods including herbal
abortifacients, the use of sharpened tools, physical trauma, and other traditional methods.
Contemporary medicine utilizes medications and surgical procedures to induce abortion. The
legality, prevalence, cultural, and religious views on abortion vary substantially around the
world. In many parts of the world there is prominent and divisive public controversy over the
ethical and legal issues of abortion. Abortion and abortion-related issues feature prominently in
the national politics in many nations, often involving the opposing pro-life and pro-choice
worldwide social movements (both self-named). Incidence of abortion has declined worldwide,
as access to family planning education and contraceptive services has increased.[4]