Induced Abortion or Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)

Intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term is called medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) or induced abortion.

MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) is the deliberate ending of a pregnancy by medical or surgical means before the foetus is viable - i.e., capable of surviving outside the womb. It is distinct from a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), which occurs naturally without intervention. In everyday language, MTP is also called induced abortion.

Why MTP is Necessary?

MTP is not performed casually - it is permitted under specific, legally defined grounds. These include:​

• Contraceptive failure: failure of any birth control device or method (includes unmarried women under the 2021 amendment)​
• Risk to the mother's physical or mental health: if continuing the pregnancy endangers the woman's wellbeing​
• Foetal abnormalities: severe chromosomal or genetic defects detected prenatally (e.g., Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome)​
• Pregnancy due to rape or incest: survivors are a special category under the 2021 Act​
• Humanitarian grounds: vulnerable women, including minors and differently-abled individuals​

Important: MTP is NOT a substitute for contraception. Its primary justification is to end unwanted or medically risky pregnancies under controlled conditions.

MTP Act, 1971:

India passed the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (Act No. 34 of 1971) to provide safe, legal abortions and reduce maternal mortality from unsafe procedures.

Original provisions:

• Termination allowed up to 12 weeks with the consent of 1 Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP)​
• Termination from 12–20 weeks required the consent of 2 RMPs​
• Abortion had to be performed at a government-approved facility​

MTP Amendment Act, 2021 (Current Law):

The MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021 came into force on 25 March 2021 and significantly expanded access to safe abortions.

Key changes under the 2021 Amendment:

MTP safety is strongly tied to gestational age - the earlier the procedure, the safer it is.​

Surgical Methods

1. Dilatation and Curettage (D&C)

• The cervix is mechanically dilated using thin rods
• A curette or suction cannula removes uterine contents
• Used up to 13–16 weeks of gestation​
• Both D&C and vacuum aspiration are safe and effective for first-trimester termination​

2. Vacuum Aspiration (Suction Curettage)

• The preferred method up to 12 weeks of gestation​
• A thin tube (cannula) is inserted through the cervix; a suction device empties the uterus
• Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA): uses a hand-held syringe; portable, cost-effective​
• Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA): uses an electric pump; preferred after 9 weeks​
• Procedure takes approximately 5–10 minutes; recovery takes 30–60 minutes​

3. Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E)

• Used for 2nd trimester terminations (≥14 weeks)​
• Requires additional cervical preparation (e.g., laminaria, misoprostol)​
• More complex than D&C; requires skilled obstetricians​

Medical/Pharmacological Methods:

4. Prostaglandin Administration

• Prostaglandins (e.g., PGE₂, PGF₂α, misoprostol) induce uterine contractions​
• Used in late 1st and 2nd trimester terminations to stimulate labour-like contractions​
• Can be administered vaginally, orally, or by injection​
• Also used as cervical preparation before surgical procedures

• MTP and Female Foeticide are NOT the same. MTP under legal grounds is a woman's reproductive right; female foeticide is a criminal act.
• The MTP Act, 1971 was introduced to protect women from unsafe, illegal abortions and to prevent misuse for female foeticide.​
• While MTP provides an important safety net, the government strongly emphasises contraception as the primary choice - MTP is NOT a routine contraceptive method.​
• The 2021 amendment reinforces women's autonomy and confidentiality - a woman's identity in MTP cases cannot be legally disclosed.​
• Only doctors with specialisation in Gynaecology or Obstetrics are authorised to perform MTP.​

• Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is the voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term, also called induced abortion.
• MTP is done in cases of unwanted pregnancy or when fetal abnormalities are detected, often using amniocentesis.
• Amniocentesis is a diagnostic test that collects amniotic fluid to study fetal chromosomes and detect genetic defects.
• MTP is legally allowed in India under the MTP Act (1971, amended 2017), with conditions and is generally safe in the first 12 weeks.
• It requires the woman’s consent and a doctor’s approval, and is allowed only when pregnancy risks the mother’s life or involves serious fetal abnormalities.