Emergency Contraception

Abstract

A woman would prefer to prevent an unwanted pregnancy rather than having an abortion or carrying the pregnancy to term. No amount of legal or religious restrictions, social stigma or lack of access to professional care can stop her if she decides to seek termination of an unplanned pregnancy. Society and the health
care providers should help in preventing abortions. A late abortion is particularly distressing for both the woman and the professionals involved in her care. In spite of this, it is surprising that an estimated 40-60 million women seek termination of pregnancy every year [1]. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the induced abortions, particularly in developing countries, are performed by unqualified persons under unsafe conditions. As a result, the woman faces a risk of death perhaps 100-500 times greater than the woman who has access to a skilled operator working in aseptic conditions.