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Mar 11, 2022

When is an abortion legally allowed?

Abortion is legally permitted only if the term of the pregnancy is not more than 20 weeks. However, a pregnant woman cannot get an abortion if a doctor is not satisfied that she meets the conditions for it. The number of doctors who have to decide whether she can get an abortion depends on the number of weeks of her pregnancy.

Less than 12 weeks

If the length of the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks, i.e. is still in the first trimester, one doctor has to agree to the abortion.

Between 12 weeks and 20 weeks

If the length of the pregnancy has exceeded 12 weeks, but is less than 20 weeks then, at least 2 doctors have to agree to it1.

However, emergency abortions can be conducted both before and after 20 weeks.

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