Abortion is the premature ending of pregnancy out of medical or personal reasons. According to the WHO, it occurs in every third woman at least once in a lifetime. [1] Among the most common methods of induced abortion are vacuum aspiration and the use of mifepristone in combination with a prostaglandin analog. For some, the emercency contraception (active agent: levornogestrel or ulipristal acetate) is also a form of medical abortion. [2] [3]

In many places there is much debate over the ethical issues of abortion and in many countries it's illegal. In Austria, abortion is operated by the criminal code. Only provisions permitting abortion within the first three months of pregnancy reverse the prosecutable statement of facts. Abortion is legal only in specific medical cases such as risk to a woman's health or a severe damage of the fetus. [2] [3]

History
Induced abortion has a long history, and can be traced back to civilizations like Ancient Egypt. The Ebers Papyrus is an Egyptian medical papyrus of herbal knowledge (1600 BCE) and describes the use of herbal beverages, vaginal injections and vaginal balls. [4]

The Greek philosopher Plato (427-347 BCE) and his disciple Aristotle (384-322 BCE) considered the vastly expanding population numbers an evil which could be opposed by abortion. [5] However, there were also first reports on women who were sentenced because of abortion in ancient times. [3] [4]

In medieval times, abortion was forbidden by the Catholic Church. Still, some women knew about the secrets of plants and herbs which could be taken in case of unwanted pregnancy. [4] [6]

Beginning in the second half of the twentieth century, modern medicine started to deal with the topic. For the first time, scientific methods were elaborated which seemed secure and didn't harm woman's health and fertility. [2]

Methods
Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) or the "morning-after pill" (active agent: levornogestrel or ulipristal acetate) can be numbered among abortion drugs because they intend to prevent the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. ECPs have to be taken within 72 hours after intercourse but are most effective when used shortly afterwards. An ECP should only be taken in emergencies (contraceptive failure like ruptured condom or forgotten intake of the pill etc.) because the high hormonal dose poses a strain on the body. Side effects are pain, nausea and vomiting as well as vaginal bleeding. [7]

Combined antiprogestin mifepristone (also known as RU-486) and prostaglandin analog pills are authorized up to 9 weeks gestational age. On the one hand, mifepristone blocks the effect of the hormone progesterone [FEMALE CYCLE], and on the other hand it causes the opening of the cervix. The prostaglandin, which is taken two days later, causes a contraction of the uterus and thus the shedding of the uterine lining together with the gestational sac and the embryo. It is an outpatient procedure and can cause pains similar to menstrual cramps. After one or two weeks a check-up is necessary because in two to five percent of the cases the procedure is not successful. [1] [3]

Vacuum aspiration (up to 14 weeks of gestional age) is an outpatient procedure that generally involves a clinic visit of several hours although the procedure itself only takes several minutes. A local or general anesthetic is used to numb the cervix. The day before the procedure, misoprostol or gemeprost are inserted via injection or vaginal gel in order to soften the cervix. [8] [9] [10] A sterile cannula is inserted into the uterus and attached via tubing to the pump. The pump creates a vacuum which empties uterine contents, that is, the gestational sac and the embryo as well as the uterine lining. Post-treatment care includes an ultrasonic observation and a follow-up appointment approximately two weeks later. Uterine cramps, similar to menstrual cramps might emerge and can be treated with anticonvulsive drugs. [1] [3]

Pro-Choice and Pro-Life
Pro-Life supporters are of the opinion that human life begins after conception and its protection should have highest priority. It is placed over questions like under which circumstances the child was conceived, whether the mother provides the necessary resources for child care or has a stable mental health. One of the largest Pro-Life movements is the Catholic Church which states that sexual abuse is a sin but abortion is murder. [11] [12]

By contrast, the Pro-Choice movement concedes a woman's reproductive choices to the mother as well as the right to decide when and under which circumstances to give birth. Pro-Choice criticizes decreed abortions as part of China's one-child policy and demands the access to better informing and efficient contraceptives. [12]

Further Links:
MUVS - Museum of Contraception and Abortion (Website)
ABOTION UNDER ATTACK, lacigreen, 2016 (YouTube)