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Abortion page

Abortion is one of the safest procedures in medicine. It is safer than carrying a pregnancy to term, which has a 14 times higher risk of death in the United States. Modern methods use medication or surgery for abortions. The drug mifepristone in combination with prostaglandin, often misoprostol, is as safe and effective as surgery during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. The most common surgical technique involves dilating the cervix and using a suction device. Contraception, such as the pill or intrauterine devices, can be used immediately following abortion. When performed safely on a person who desires it, abortions do not increase the risk of long-term mental or physical problems. In contrast, unsafe abortions (defined by the World Health Organization as a procedure done by a person lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not meet medical standards, or both) cause 47,000 deaths and 5 million hospital admissions each year. The World Health Organization recommends safe and legal abortions be available to all.