What is the second name of abortion?

Asked by: Ryder Flatley  |  Last update: May 16, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (63 votes)

A common alternative term for abortion is termination, also known as a termination of pregnancy, used in medical and general contexts to describe the ending of a pregnancy, with specific methods also called medication abortion (the abortion pill) or surgical abortion.

What is another name for abortion?

Common synonyms for abortion include termination, termination of pregnancy, and early pregnancy loss, while specific procedures might be called vacuum aspiration, D&C (dilation and curettage), or dilation and evacuation (D&E), depending on the context and stage of pregnancy, though many prefer just the word "abortion" to avoid stigma, notes Planned Parenthood Action Fund and ACOG. 

What is a second term abortion?

During the second trimester, 15 to 23 weeks after your last menstrual period, abortions are typically performed over a two-day period but don't require an overnight stay in the hospital. These procedures are known as dilation and evacuation (D&E).

What are the two main types of abortion?

The two main types of abortion are medical abortion, using pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) for an early pregnancy, and surgical abortion (or in-clinic procedure), a quick procedure using suction or instruments to remove pregnancy tissue, with options like vacuum aspiration or D&E, depending on gestational age. Your choice depends on how far along the pregnancy is, your health, and local laws, with medical abortion generally for early stages and surgical for later, though procedures vary. 

What is another name for a natural abortion?

Miscarriage is a naturally occurring event, unlike medicine abortions or abortion procedures. A miscarriage may also be called a "spontaneous abortion." Other terms for the early loss of pregnancy include: Complete abortion: All of the products (tissue) of conception leave the body.

What Is a Medication Abortion? Everything You Need To Know

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What to say instead of abortion?

Common synonyms for abortion include termination, termination of pregnancy, and early pregnancy loss, while specific procedures might be called vacuum aspiration, D&C (dilation and curettage), or dilation and evacuation (D&E), depending on the context and stage of pregnancy, though many prefer just the word "abortion" to avoid stigma, notes Planned Parenthood Action Fund and ACOG. 

What exactly does "abortifacient" mean?

An abortifacient is any substance that is used to terminate a pregnancy (Box 17-2). Historically, lead and quinine have been used as abortifacients, but now over-the-counter preparations such as acetaminophen, aspirin, iron, and herbal preparations are more commonly used to induce abortion.

What is the proper name for an abortion?

An abortion (also known as a termination) is the medical process of ending a pregnancy. An abortion is different from a miscarriage, which is the loss of your baby before 24 weeks, without medical intervention.

What are the 4 types of spontaneous abortion?

Most spontaneous abortions occur within the 1st 12 weeks of gestation and can be caused by several factors such as infection, trauma, and genetic and autoimmune causes. There are different types of spontaneous abortions, including threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, and missed abortions.

What is a multiple abortion called?

Recurrent miscarriage, also called recurrent pregnancy loss or habitual abortion occurs when a woman has two or more consecutive clinical pregnancy losses.

What is the second degree abortion?

In order for you to be convicted of abortion in the second degree you must have intended to cause a miscarriage. If you did not know that the woman was pregnant or if you did not have the intent to cause her to miscarry, then you may be able to successfully defend a charge of abortion in the second degree.

Is a D&E the same as a D&C?

Your healthcare provider will first expand (dilate) the lower narrow part of the uterus (cervix). Next, they will scrape out samples of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) with a spoon-shaped tool. A suction D&C uses suction to remove uterine contents. This is sometimes called a dilation and evacuation (D&E).

What is abortion called after 20 weeks?

Late-term abortion: Non-medical term that typically refers to abortions occurring at or after 21 weeks gestational age, but does not consistently refer to a specific gestational age cutoff.

Why is abortion called D and C?

A dilation and curettage procedure, also called a D&C, is a surgical procedure in which the cervix (lower, narrow part of the uterus) is dilated (expanded) so that the uterine lining (endometrium) can be scraped with a curette (spoon-shaped instrument) to remove abnormal tissues.

What is a female abortion called?

When a woman gets a pregnancy terminated voluntarily from a service provider, it is called induced abortion. Spontaneous abortion, also known as miscarriage, is the loss of a woman's pregnancy before the 20th week. This type of abortion can be physically and emotionally painful.

Will God forgive me for having an abortion?

Yes, according to many Christian teachings, God offers forgiveness for abortion through repentance, confession, and faith in Jesus Christ, with resources often pointing to verses like 1 John 1:9 and Psalm 32, emphasizing that abortion is not an unforgivable sin but a matter for which Jesus' sacrifice provides atonement, leading to peace and freedom from guilt through Christ's power, though specific beliefs vary by denomination, such as the Catholic Church viewing it as a grave sin but still within God's merciful reach. 

What are two types of abortions?

The two main types of abortion are medical abortion, using pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) for an early pregnancy, and surgical abortion (or in-clinic procedure), a quick procedure using suction or instruments to remove pregnancy tissue, with options like vacuum aspiration or D&E, depending on gestational age. Your choice depends on how far along the pregnancy is, your health, and local laws, with medical abortion generally for early stages and surgical for later, though procedures vary. 

How long does abortion grief last?

Abortion grief duration varies widely; for many, intense emotions subside within weeks or months, but for some, grief can persist for years, potentially becoming complicated or traumatic, especially with factors like coercion, lack of support, or existing mental health issues, highlighting that there's no universal timeline, with relief being common but prolonged distress also possible. 

Is a D&C always necessary?

Up to 50% of people who miscarry don't need a D&C procedure. If the miscarriage occurs before 10 weeks of pregnancy, it'll most likely happen on its own (natural miscarriage). After the 10th week of pregnancy, there's a higher risk of having an incomplete miscarriage.

What do you call a baby after an abortion?

A child born after loss is commonly referred to as a "rainbow baby," but this term can sometimes be problematic. Updated Sept. 26, 2025, 11:38 AM PDT / Source: TODAY. Kait Hanson.

What is a medical abortion called?

Medication abortion, also known as medical abortion or abortion with pills, is a pregnancy termination protocol that involves taking two different drugs, Mifepristone and misoprostol, that can be safely used up to the first 70 days (10 weeks) of pregnancy according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What is natural abortion called?

A miscarriage (also called a spontaneous abortion) is the unexpected ending of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks of gestation. Just because it's called a “miscarriage” doesn't mean you did something wrong in carrying the pregnancy. Most miscarriages are beyond your control and occur because the fetus stops growing.

Can one abort and still be pregnant?

Abortion is incredibly safe and effective, so it's really rare that you'll still be pregnant after an in-clinic abortion or taking abortion pills. Pregnancy symptoms should go away a few days after your abortion.

Are condoms abortifacients?

Contraceptive methods are not abortifacients. This is well-accepted by the medical and healthcare community, and the public. But some people – including Trump administration officials – are trying to blur these lines to confuse people and stigmatise contraceptive use.

Is abortion really illegal?

What You Need to Know About Abortion Laws and Getting an Abortion in Your State. ​​The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which means that states can now ban abortion. Some states have banned abortion or created lots of restrictions.