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Induced Abortion

Also called: VIP, Pregnancy Termination, Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy

- Summary
- About induced abortions
- Types and differences
- Before, during and after
- Potential risks
- Common misperceptions
- Questions for your doctor

Reviewed By:
Joanne Poje Tomasulo, M.D., ACOG
 David Lubetkin, M.D., FACOG

Common misperceptions about abortion

There are many myths and misconceptions regarding abortion. The following statistics come from the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization that focuses on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education:

Myth Reality
Abortion is generally dangerous. Abortion is among the safest surgical procedures. The risk of death is approximately 0.6 per 100,000 abortions. The risk of major complications is less than 0.3 percent. By contrast, the risk of death following a pregnancy carried to term is 12 times higher.
Abortion is on the rise in the United States. Abortion rates have been declining since the 1990s.
Abortions frequently occur late in a woman’s pregnancy. Almost 90 percent of abortions occur in the first trimester. Fewer than 2 percent are performed after 20 weeks, and just 0.08 percent are performed after 24 weeks.
The majority of women who have abortions have terminated multiple pregnancies. More than half (52 percent) of women having abortions had no prior abortion.
Abortion is available in most counties in the United States. About 87 percent of U.S. counties had no abortion provider in 2000.
There is a link between abortion and some diseases. To date, there is no credible link between abortion and diseases such as endometriosis and breast cancer or other types of cancer.

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Review Date: 04-26-2007

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