Abortion may be the only option to protect the health and life of a pregnant person in certain circumstances, as confirmed by doctors. This is particularly crucial in the United States, which has the highest rate of maternal mortality among developed nations. The American Medical Association emphasizes that the question of when an abortion is medically necessary spans various medical specialties.
There are several dangerous conditions during pregnancy that may necessitate an abortion. For instance, if the amniotic sac ruptures prematurely, it can lead to a high risk of infection and sepsis. Placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, can result in severe bleeding and potentially life-threatening complications such as cardiac arrest, kidney failure, or miscarriage.
While most miscarriages do not require medical intervention, about 10% to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and some may require treatment similar to that of an abortion. In cases where a miscarriage poses a risk to the pregnant person's life due to excessive blood loss or infection from an incomplete miscarriage, medical intervention becomes necessary.