An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy through the removal or expulsion of the embryo or foetus from the uterus.

Yes, a spontaneous or an involuntary abortion is also known as miscarriage. It is the unintended termination of pregnancy before the twentieth week.

An induced or voluntary abortion is the intended termination of an unwanted pregnancy, ideally carried out by a trained health professional.

A safe abortion is an abortion procedure carried out by a trained and licensed professional in a sterile environment using appropriate methods.

Any of the following are classified as unsafe abortions:

1. Any abortion procedure done with non-medical equipments like sticks, pens or any sharp object.
2. Any abortion procedure performed by untrained people like quacks, friends, family members or even MBBS doctors who do not have the license to do so.
3. Any abortion procedure carried out in a non-sterile environment, like homes or clinics which do not have an approval to carry out medical termination of pregnancy.
4. Sometimes, even a trained medical professional might not provide you with all the information. Please ensure that the abortion seeker undergoes proper counselling which would also include post-abortion care suggestions.

Yes, abortions are very much legal in India. The MTP Act passed in 1971 safeguards the right of pregnant people above the age of 18 to seek abortion servies.

A study estimates that 15.6 million abortions took place in India in 2015 alone. 3.4 million of these took place in health facilities, 11.5 million were done through medical methods outside facilities, and the rest are expected to have been done through other methods.

A qualified and trained doctor (OBGYN or MBBS doctor who has undergone proper training for carrying out abortion procedures) can perform an abortion.

An abortion can be performed in any government hospital or an approved MTP private clinic. The clinic needs to display clearly that it has received approval from the government to perform the procedure.

A pregnant person can seek abortion till upto 24 weeks of gestation. For the first 20 weeks they would need one doctor’s prescription, and for the 20-24 weeks period they would need two doctors’ prescriptions. Medical termination is also allowed beyond 24 weeks in cases of foetal anomalies; however, a medical board steps in to examine and regulate the process.

A medical abortion can be administered in two ways that involve different regimens of the pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Mifepristone stops the pregnancy while Misoprostol induces uterine contraction, which expels the products of conception out through the vagina. These can be taken upto 63 days (9 weeks) of pregnancy. 63 days are counted from the first day of the last period.
Abortions can also be done surgically where instruments are used to evacuate the uterus. Surgical abortions can be carried out  via different techniques such as Vacuum Aspiration, Dilation and Evacuation and Dilation and Curettage.

There is no one answer to this question. All pregnancies are different and only a trained medical practitioner can tell you which method is best-suited for you. 

Medical abortion can be carried out at home, in a much private and natural setting. However, it can result in excessive bleeding and discomfort. Surgical abortion, on the other hand, provides relief in terms of completing the procedure in one sitting. However, there is always the risk of surgical instruments and anaesthesia. 

So let your doctor decide.

Simply put, no. It is illegal in India to self-administer an abortion. You will be booked under the Indian Penal Code. It is always better to consult your doctor.

Typically no, but it depends on the type of procedure chosen and the conditions in which it is performed. A medical abortion can feel like a painful period, while a surgical abortion is performed with the patient under sedation.

Simply put, no. After a safe abortion, a person can become pregnant after just 11 days if no contraceptives are used. A safe abortion is one where proper medical protocols are followed by a trained medical professional in a safe and sterile space. However, in the cases of unsafe abortions, one can never be sure. An unsafe abortion could result in an incomplete procedure which could affect future pregnancies.