Abortion in India
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was enacted by the Indian Parliament in 1971 and came into force on April 1, 1972. The MTP act was again revised in 1975. The MTP Act lays down the condition under which a pregnancy can be terminated, as well as the persons who are qualified to perform terminations, and the places where they may be performed. The reasons for which MTP is done, as interpreted from the Indian MTP Act, are:
If married--- her own written consent. Husband’s consent not required.
If unmarried and above 18years ---her own written consent.
If below 18 years ---written consent of her guardian.
If mentally unstable --- written consent of her guardian.
A consent assures the clinician performing the abortion that she:
Has been informed of all her options.
Has been counseled about the procedure, its risks and how to care for herself after she has chosen the abortion of her own free will.
Person or persons who can perform MTP: Any qualified registered medical practitioner who has assisted in 25 MTPs; a house surgeon who has completed a six months post in Obstetrics and Gynecology; a person who has a diploma /degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology; 3 years of practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology for those doctors registered before the 1971 MTP Act was passed, 1 year of practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology for those doctors registered on or after the date of commencement of the Act; whenever the pregnancy exceeds 12 weeks but is below 20 weeks opinion of two registered medical practitioners is necessary.
Place where MTP can be performed: any institutions licensed by the Government to perform MTP. The certificate issued by the Government should be conspicuously displayed at a place easily visible to persons visiting the place.
Methods of Induced Abortion: abortion can be induced by different methods depending on the weeks of pregnancy completed.
First trimester, medical methods:
(i) Methotrexate - misoprostol (a suppository inserted into cervix)
(ii) Mifepristone (RU486) - misoprostol
First trimester abortion, surgical methods:
(i) Cervical dilatation followed by evacuation of uterus by: curettage /suction evacuation / vacuum aspiration / dilatation and evacuation
(ii) Menstrual aspiration (MR)
Second Trimester Abortions (13 - 20 weeks):
Medical methods using drugs like: Ethacridine lactate and prostaglandin.
Surgical methods include aspirotomy, hysterotomy, and hysterectomy.
Sadly, in this country, baby girls are frequently the target of abortion because male offspring is "more desirable." A documentary
It's a Girl - documents the practice of aborting babies simply because they are girls.
- Where a pregnant woman has a serious medical disease and continuation of pregnancy could endanger her life, such as: heart diseases, severe rise in blood pressure, uncontrolled vomiting during pregnancy, cervical/ breast cancer, diabetes mellitus with eye complication (retinopathy), epilepsy, psychiatric illness.
- Where the continuation of pregnancy could lead to substantial risk to the newborn leading to serious physical / mental handicaps (ie. chromosomal abnormalities, Rubella (German measles) viral infection to mother in first three months, if previous children have congenital abnormalities, Rh iso-immunization, o exposure of the fetus to irradiation.)
- Pregnancy resulting from rape.
- Conditions where the socio-economic status of the mother (family) hampers the progress of a healthy pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child.
- Failure of Contraceptive Device irrespective of the method used (natural methods/ barrier methods/ hormonal methods). This condition is a unique feature of the Indian Law. Virtually all pregnancies can be legally terminated using this criterion.
If married--- her own written consent. Husband’s consent not required.
If unmarried and above 18years ---her own written consent.
If below 18 years ---written consent of her guardian.
If mentally unstable --- written consent of her guardian.
A consent assures the clinician performing the abortion that she:
Has been informed of all her options.
Has been counseled about the procedure, its risks and how to care for herself after she has chosen the abortion of her own free will.
Person or persons who can perform MTP: Any qualified registered medical practitioner who has assisted in 25 MTPs; a house surgeon who has completed a six months post in Obstetrics and Gynecology; a person who has a diploma /degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology; 3 years of practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology for those doctors registered before the 1971 MTP Act was passed, 1 year of practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology for those doctors registered on or after the date of commencement of the Act; whenever the pregnancy exceeds 12 weeks but is below 20 weeks opinion of two registered medical practitioners is necessary.
Place where MTP can be performed: any institutions licensed by the Government to perform MTP. The certificate issued by the Government should be conspicuously displayed at a place easily visible to persons visiting the place.
Methods of Induced Abortion: abortion can be induced by different methods depending on the weeks of pregnancy completed.
First trimester, medical methods:
(i) Methotrexate - misoprostol (a suppository inserted into cervix)
(ii) Mifepristone (RU486) - misoprostol
First trimester abortion, surgical methods:
(i) Cervical dilatation followed by evacuation of uterus by: curettage /suction evacuation / vacuum aspiration / dilatation and evacuation
(ii) Menstrual aspiration (MR)
Second Trimester Abortions (13 - 20 weeks):
Medical methods using drugs like: Ethacridine lactate and prostaglandin.
Surgical methods include aspirotomy, hysterotomy, and hysterectomy.
Sadly, in this country, baby girls are frequently the target of abortion because male offspring is "more desirable." A documentary
It's a Girl - documents the practice of aborting babies simply because they are girls.
- 1to9months.com (“India’s First Exclusive Pregnancy Portal”), Abortion