Choose the statements which are correct with respect to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 2017:
(A) Approximately 20% of the conceived pregnancies undergone MTP globally in a year
(B) MTP is legalized in India upto four months unconditionally
(C) Amniocentesis is mandatory before performing MTP
(D) MTPs are considered relatively safe upto 12 weeks of pregnancy
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A) and (D) only
(A) Approximately 20% of the conceived pregnancies undergone MTP globally in a year — True. About 45 to 50 million MTPs are done in the world every year. This is 1/5th of all conceived pregnancies, that is, about 20 per cent.
(B) MTP is legalized in India upto four months unconditionally — False. MTP is never allowed without conditions. Under the MTP (Amendment) Act, 2017, a pregnancy may be ended on certain grounds within the first 12 weeks on the opinion of one registered medical practitioner. Between 12 and 24 weeks, two registered medical practitioners must agree.
(C) Amniocentesis is mandatory before performing MTP — False. Amniocentesis tests the amniotic fluid of the foetus for genetic disorders. It is not a step of MTP. Its misuse to find the sex of the foetus is illegal.
(D) MTPs are considered relatively safe upto 12 weeks of pregnancy — True. The first trimester is the safe period.
NCERT Extract:
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) – “Intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term is called medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) or induced abortion. Nearly 45 to 50 million MTPs are performed in a year all over the world which accounts to 1/5th of the total number of conceived pregnancies in a year. … The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2017 was enacted by the government of India with the intension of reducing the incidence of illegal abortion and consequent maternal mortality and morbidity. According to this Act, a pregnancy may be terminated on certain considered grounds within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy on the opinion of one registered medical practitioner. If the pregnancy has lasted more than 12 weeks, but fewer than 24 weeks, two registered medical practitioners must be of the opinion, formed in good faith, that the required ground exist. … MTPs are considered relatively safe during the first trimester, i.e., upto 12 weeks of pregnancy. Second trimester abortions are much more riskier. … Another dangerous trend is the misuse of amniocentesis to determine the sex of the unborn child.”