Letter: Legal abortion

Med J Aust. 1973 Nov 10;2(19):909-10.

Abstract

PIP: M. Potts comments on the findings in papers by J.M. Miller (Journal, April 28) from the perspective of the world experience of legal abortion. The reported complications in legal abortion in South Australia are different from those in the U.S. and parts of Europe. Low mortality rates are likely to be related to low morbidity rates, and the U.S. experience shows the high degree of safety that can be associated with legal abortion. Several explanations of the differences between the Australian and the U.S. experience can be given. Mortality and morbidity rates decline as experience is gained in handling large numbers of abortions. As the abortion experience grows, more abortions are performed in the 1st trimester. Also, gradually, optimum techniques are discovered and used. In South Australia the reform of the abortion law has advanced the health of the community.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Legal / adverse effects*
  • Abortion, Legal / mortality
  • Australia
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • New York
  • Pregnancy
  • Scandinavian and Nordic Countries