Abortion

(Top) Caduceus (staff of Aesculapius): Ancient symbol of medicine (Bottom) Scales of justice: Ancient symbol of jurisprudence

The term "abortion" can be used for both the unintentional and the intentional premature termination of a pregnancy. The unintentional termination of a pregnancy is called abortion if it occurs within the first 4 months; after that time, it is usually called miscarriage. In the non-medical language of everyday life, however, the word "abortion" most often means the intentional termination of an unwanted pregnancy. This has always been both a medical and a moral problem.