[Medical interruption of pregnancy in India (author's transl)].

The law on medical interruption of pregnancy was introduced in India in 1971. According to this, a pregnancy may be interrupted (only by a specialist) if the life or mental health of the mother is threatened or if there is a danger of severe bodily or mental abnormality in the child. The methods of interruption used are: 1. simple suction, 2. dilatation and curettage (one or two sessions), 3. vacuum aspiration, 4. hysterotomy (abdominal, vaginal), 5. intrauterine injections (hypertonic saline or glucose solution, urea, prostaglandins), 6. intrauterine bougie. After the operation the doctor must advice the patient on methods of contraception.