Therapeutic abortion is the intentional ending of a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently. Abortion has been legal in the United States since 1973. Women have abortions because continuing a pregnancy would cause hardship, endanger their life or health, or because the fetus has severe abnormalities. Pre-abortion counseling is important to resolve any questions about having the procedure.

A doctor must know the stage of a woman's pregnancy before performing an abortion. The doctor asks questions about the woman's menstrual cycle and does a physical examination. This may be done at an office visit before the abortion or on the day of the abortion. Some states require a waiting period before an abortion can be performed. Others require parental or court consent for a child under age 18 to receive an abortion.

The first trimester of pregnancy includes the first 13 weeks after the last menstrual period. In the United...