Abortion
Ending a pregnancy.
Abortifacient
A drug, herb, or device that can cause abortion (end a pregnancy).
Abortion pill
Describes the process of medication abortion, which includes the use of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, to safely end a pregnancy. Also often called “medical abortion”
Aspiration abortion
A procedure that ends pregnancy by emptying the uterus with the gentle suction of a manual syringe or with machine-operated suction. Also called “in-clinic abortion.”
D & C (dilation and curettage)
The use of a curette — a metal medical instrument with a narrow loop — to gently scrape away the uterine lining, and the use of suction to remove tissue from the uterus. Can be used for abortion care or for treatment of a miscarriage.
D & E (dilation and evacuation)
The use of suction and medical tools to remove tissue from the uterus during an abortion.
Induced abortion
The intentional termination of pregnancy.
Incomplete Abortion
A kind of miscarriage or abortion in which some pregnancy tissue passes out of the uterus but some stays inside. Sometimes treatment is needed to remove the remaining tissue.
Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA)
An early abortion procedure in which a small, hand-held suction device or suction machine gently takes the pregnancy tissue out of the uterus.
Medication Abortion / Medical Abortion
The use of a combination of drugs to end a pregnancy. Also called the “abortion pill.”
Mifepristone
One of two drugs (the other is misoprostol) used for a medication abortion. Commonly known as “the abortion pill.” The brand name in the U.S is Mifeprex.
Misoprostol
A medication that can be used to complete a medication abortion that’s been induced with mifepristone. This process is commonly known as the abortion pill. Although less effective than mifepristone, misoprostol is used alone for abortion in some countries.
Missed abortion / missed miscarriage
When a pregnancy ends, but the tissue remains in the uterus. Sometimes this can lead to a person continuing to experience pregnancy symptoms for a time. Treatment is sometimes needed to remove the tissue from the uterus.
Pro-choice
Supporting the right to safe, legal abortion.
Septic abortion
An abortion or miscarriage that leads to infection. Usually associated with illegal and unsafe abortion, aggressive medical treatment is often required to save the life of the patient.
Spontaneous abortion
Miscarriage, pregnancy loss.
Therapeutic abortion
Ending a pregnancy because of a fetal abnormality or to protect the pregnant person’s physical or mental health or life.
Vacuum aspiration abortion
A surgical procedure in which a pregnancy is removed from the uterus with a gentle suction device.