Abortion is the willful killing of the fetus in the uterus or violent expulsion of the fetus from the

maternal womb
Clinical Type of Abortion
1. Missed Abortion an ovum destroyed by hemorrhage into the choriospace, usually
before the fourth month of pregnancy
2. Threatened Abortion hemorrhage without dilatation of the internal
3. Inevitable Abortion hemorrhage with dilatation of the internal os and presence of
rhythmical pain.
4. Incomplete Abortion not all the products of conception has been expelled from the
uterus; fragments or portions of which is retained.
5. Complete Abortion the whole product of conception is expelled.
Causes of Abortion:
1. Death of the fetus
2. Abnormality of Uterus
3. Emotional condition
4. Abortifacient Drugs
5. Trauma
6. Hormonal Deficiency
7. Acute specific fever and high temperature
Provision of the Revised Penal Code on Abortion
1. Intentional Abortion (Art. 256)
Any person who shall intentionally cause an abortion shall suffer:
a. The penalty of Reclusion temporal, if he shall use any violence upon the
person of the pregnant woman
b. The penalty of Prision Mayor, if without using violence, he shall act without
consent of the woman
c. The penalty of Prision Correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if
the woman shall have consented
Elements of Intentional Abortion:
That there is a pregnant woman.
That violence was applied, or drug was administered or a person acts upon such
pregnant woman
That the effect of such violence, drug or acts of the offender, the fetus dies or
expelled
That the abortion is intended.

2. Unintentional Abortion (Art. 257)

 The penalty of Prision Correccional in its minimum and medium period shall be
imposed upon any person who shall cause an abortion by violence but
unintentionally.
Elements of Unintentional Abortion:
That there is a pregnant woman.
Violence was applied on such pregnant woman without the intention of aborting
her.
The woman aborted as a result of the violence

3. Abortion practiced by woman herself or by her parents (Art. 258)

The penalty of Prision Correccional in its medium and maximum periods shall be
imposed upon a woman who shall practice an abortion upon herself or shall
consent that any person should do so.
Any woman who shall commit this offense to conceal her dishonor, shall suffer
the penalty of Prsion Correccional in its minimum and medium periods.
It this crime be committed by the parents of the pregnant woman or either of
them, and they act with the concept of the said woman for the purpose of
concealing her dishonor, the offenders shall suffer the penalty of Prision
Correccional in irs medium and maximum periods.
Elements of the crime:
That pregnant woman herself.
Other persons with her consent
The parents of the woman, or either of them for the purpose of concealing her
dishonor and with her consent.

4. Abortion practiced by Physician or Midwife and dispensing of abortive (Art. 259)

The penalties provided in Art 256 shall be imposed in its maximum period,
respectively, upon any physician or midwife who, taking advantage of their
scientific knowledge or skill shall cause an abortion or assist in causing the same.
Any pharmacist who, without the proper prescription from a physician, shall
dispense any abortive shall suffer Arresto Mayor and a fine of not exceeding
1,000php.
Elements of the crime:
That there is a pregnant woman.
The physician induced or assisted in causing the abortion with the use of scientific
knowledge
The acts done by the physician or midwife was intended to cause an abortion
Kinds of Abortion
a. Spontaneous or Natural Abortion
Abortion which occurs without any form of inducement or intervention

b. Induced Abortion
Abortion occurs with any form of inducement or intervention. Induced
abortion may be:
Therapeutic Abortion- done to preserve the life of the mother.
Criminal Abortion- there is no therapeutic indication but with
criminal intent that is punishable by law.
Reasons Why Some Women Procure Abortion:
1. To preserve the life and health of the pregnant woman
2. To terminate the prematurely illegitimate pregnancy in order to conceal the dishonor of
the woman
3. Financially difficulty
4. To preserve body forms