Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of all pregnancies. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion, or less frequently "induced miscarriage". The unmodified word abortion generally refers to an induced abortion. The most common reasons women give for having an abortion are for birth-timing and limiting family size. Other reasons reported include maternal health, an inability to afford a child, domestic violence, lack of support, feeling they are too young, wishing to complete education or advance a career, and not being able or willing to raise a child conceived as a result of rape or incest.

గర్భం ద్వారా ఏర్పడిన పిండం, దాని సంబంధిత భాగాలు, పిండం చనిపోయిన తరువాత గర్భాశయం నుండి బయట పడడాన్ని గర్భస్రావం అంటారు. గర్భస్రావం ఏ కారణం లేకుండా కూడా జరుగవచ్చును. కొన్ని రకాల కారణాల వలన కూడా గర్భస్రావం జరగవచ్చును.