The term "abortion" is synonymous with the induced abortion of a human fetus. It can be considered as the termination of a pregnancy and is associated with the death of an embryo or a fetus.

There are two types of abortion. The first is called a “spontaneous abortion” or “miscarriage,” and is an abortion due to accidental trauma or natural causes before the twentieth week of development. After the twentieth week, spontaneous abortions are often considered “preterm deliveries.” In most cases, even before the pregnancy is confirmed, up to 78% of all conceptions are negative. The percentage of all confirmed pregnancies that end in a miscarriage is 15%. Often, miscarriages take place in the early stages of a pregnancy. The risk for spontaneous abortion is greater in women over the age of thirty-five, those with a history of more than three previous (known) spontaneous abortions, and those with systemic diseases.

“Induced abortion” is deliberately caused abortion. "Abortion" is mostly used by general populace to mean induced abortion. The reasons for an induced abortion can be any of the following: postponement of childbearing, the cost of delivering and raising a baby, relationship problems, risk of the mother’s health, or simple disinterest in pregnancy.Induced abortions are further subcategorized into two types. The first, “therapeutic abortion,” is performed to save a pregnant woman from a physical or mental health risk. The other is known as an “elective abortion” and is performed for any other reason. The gestational age of the embryo or fetus defines the method of abortion to be used.

Effective in the first trimester of pregnancy, chemical, or non-surgical abortions are done with the administration of either methotrexate or mifepristone, followed by misoprostol. In the first fifteen weeks, suction-aspiration or vacuum abortions are the most common methods, which replace the more risky dilation and curettage (D & C).