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Therapeutic Abortion in Maryland, 1968–1970

From The Family Planning Evaluation Activity, Center for Disease Control, Health Services and Mental Health Administration, Public Health Service, US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and Maternity and Family Planning Section, Division of Maternal and Child Health, Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, Md 21201.

Abstract

A surveillance system was organized to monitor the impact of the liberalized Maryland Abortion Law of July 1968. During the first year, 2134 hospital abortions were reported; 5530 were reported in the second year and 3210 during the first 6 months of the third year. The predominant indication for abortion has been mental health (91 to 96%), and the most frequently used method is now suction curettage. Women obtaining abortions are almost entirely Maryland residents (97%), young (median age 22), of low parity (50% with no living children) and most often unmarried (68%). Complication rates have been highest for procedures performed late in gestation, and 3 deaths have been associated with procedures after 16 weeks' gestation.