Criminal abortion is the intentional termination of pregnancy before the fetus becomes viable outside the uterus, carried out by illegal means, by unqualified persons, or in environments lacking proper medical and sanitary standards—thereby exposing the woman’s life to serious risks. 2. Indications (Reasons) Some women may resort to criminal abortion for the following reasons: 1. Unwanted pregnancy (e.g., outside marriage or due to social factors). 2. Economic hardship and inability to support a child. 3. Fear of social or familial stigma. 4. Failure of contraceptive methods. 5. Pregnancy resulting from rape or sexual assault. 6. Lack of awareness or limited access to safe and legal abortion services. 3. Methods Used Criminal abortion is often performed using unsafe methods such as: A. Mechanical Methods: • Insertion of sharp instruments or foreign bodies into the uterus. • Crude cervical dilatation. • Forceful abdominal compression. B. Chemical Methods: • Ingestion of toxic drugs or herbal preparations to induce uterine contractions. • Injection of chemical substances into the uterus. C. Unsupervised Drug Use: • Use of uterotonic medications without medical supervision or in inappropriate doses. 4. Complications Immediate Complications: • Severe uterine bleeding leading to hemorrhagic shock. • Uterine rupture or perforation. • Acute uterine or pelvic infection (sepsis). • Septicemia. • Death. Late Complications: • Permanent infertility. • Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome). • Increased risk of future ectopic pregnancy. • Psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. 5. Legal Aspects Laws vary from country to country; however, in general: • Criminal abortion is considered a punishable offense if performed outside the legal and medical framework. • Penalties may include: o Imprisonment for the woman undergoing the abortion. o More severe penalties for the person performing it (especially if not a licensed physician). • In some legislations, therapeutic abortion is permitted only: o To save the mother’s life. o In cases of serious risk to her health. o Occasionally in cases of rape or severe fetal anomalies (depending on local law). In Iraq, abortion is generally criminalized, with limited exceptions primarily related to saving the mother’s life, subject to medical reports and relevant legal authorization. Summary Criminal abortion represents a serious medical and legal issue due to its life-threatening complications and legal consequences. Health education, access to safe medical services, and social support are essential to reducing its incidence.