Until Which Week Is Elective Abortion Legal in Our Country?
Elective abortion is an important issue with both medical and legal dimensions. In Türkiye, this procedure is performed within certain legal limits and health-related criteria. In order for women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, it is important to clearly understand until which week abortion is legal, under what conditions it can be performed, and how the process proceeds.
Until Which Week Can Elective Abortion Be Performed in Türkiye?
In Türkiye, according to legal regulations, elective abortion can be performed until the end of the 10th week of pregnancy. This period is calculated from the date the pregnancy is established in the uterus. In pregnancies exceeding 10 weeks, abortion cannot be performed upon request; it may only be carried out in cases of medical necessity.
Legal Status for Married and Unmarried Women
According to legal regulations:
Women who are over the age of 18 and unmarried may undergo abortion up to the 10th week of pregnancy with their own consent.
For married women, the consent of the spouse is also required in addition to the woman’s own consent.
For individuals under the age of 18, parental or legal guardian consent is required for the abortion procedure.
These regulations aim to protect both individual rights and medical and ethical responsibilities.
In Which Cases Can Abortion Be Performed After 10 Weeks?
If the pregnancy exceeds 10 weeks, abortion is only possible under specific conditions. These may include:
Serious health problems that threaten the life of the expectant mother
A high risk to the mother’s health if the pregnancy continues
Detection of severe fetal anomalies that are incompatible with life
In such cases, abortion may be performed in accordance with medical board reports prepared by specialist physicians.
Why Is Evaluation Before Abortion Important?
Before making a decision regarding elective abortion, it is very important to accurately determine the gestational week and evaluate the mother’s overall health condition. Through ultrasound examination and gynecological evaluation, the week of pregnancy is clarified and it is determined whether there is any medical obstacle to the procedure. This process is necessary both for compliance with legal limits and for patient safety.
Is Abortion Legal, but Performed Everywhere?
Although abortion is legal in Türkiye, it is not performed in every healthcare institution. The procedure should be carried out by experienced obstetrics and gynecology specialists in properly equipped facilities where sterile conditions are provided. Therefore, the abortion process should always be planned in a reliable and experienced medical center.
An Informed Decision, A Safe Process
Elective abortion is a safe medical procedure when performed at the right time and under appropriate conditions. However, knowing both the legal time limits and the medical requirements is critically important for protecting women’s health. For this reason, every woman is advised to seek specialist guidance during the decision-making process.
At Dr. Yeliz Akçelik’s clinic, all processes related to women’s health are handled with confidentiality, ethical values, and patient safety as priorities. A personalized, accurate, and scientific approach is adopted for each patient.
