An “MTP center” refers to a facility that provides medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), also known as induced abortion, a procedure to end a pregnancy before it can survive outside the womb, legally permitted under specific conditions.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- MTP stands for Medical Termination of Pregnancy .
- It’s a procedure to end a pregnancy: before it can survive outside the womb.
- MTP is also known as induced abortion .
- MTP is legal in India: and has been since 1971.
- The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971: (Act No. 34 of 1971) defines the situations and circumstances in which safe abortion can be legally performed.
- This Act empowers medical practitioners and institutions: to deliver MTP services.
- MTP can be chosen by women who have conceived accidentally: or to complete an early miscarriage, or if their medical condition is such that continuing a pregnancy is life-threatening.
- MTP can be done through medications or surgery .
- In the initial stages, termination through medication is a safer option: than surgical means.
- A pregnancy may be terminated up to 12 weeks based on the opinion of one doctor, and up to 20 weeks based on the opinion of two doctors .
- MTP is considered safe up to the first trimester .
- MTP is an integral component of the efforts made by the Government of India to bring down maternal mortality and morbidity in the country .