The most common reasons for doctors to recommend an abortion are an impending miscarriage, birth defects and risks to the mother’s health.

Impending miscarriage

Miscarriage, also known as a spontaneous abortion, refers to the loss of a fetus during the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. Twenty percent of pregnancies are reported to end in miscarriage. An impending miscarriage is determined due to the lack of a fetal heartbeat when examined by ultrasound. A doctor may then suggest that a mother have a therapeutic abortion to avoid the physical risks and complications of an actual miscarriage, such as hemorrhaging and infertility.

(Read also: How to safely consume medicine when pregnant)

Birth defects

Thanks to medical developments, we can detect birth defects early in the first trimester of pregnancy using ultrasound, blood tests and amniocentesis. Some birth defects are classified as incompatible with life, while others are not, which means in some cases the child can still develop and grow up. Nevertheless, children with birth defects may carry serious health conditions throughout their lives. As difficult as the choice is, some women may opt for abortion to avoid the child’s suffering.

Health of the mother

Some women suffer from medical conditions that complicate pregnancy, including heart disease, cancer or diabetes. In these cases, therapeutic abortions are recommended to maintain the woman’s health. In addition, when a pregnancy is the result of rape, incest or an abusive relationship, abortion can be medically justified to protect the woman.

Regardless of the causes and methods, abortion is often a painful experience for a woman, both mentally and physically. So if you are considering an abortion for whatever reason, be sure to take advice from an expert to choose what is best for you. (kes)