Termination of pregnancy

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into Irish law on 21^st December 2018.

There are several different circumstances under which termination of pregnancy can be legally performed:

• Section 12 allows termination of pregnancy to be carried out by medical practitioners up to 12 weeks’ gestation, once a minimum of three days has elapsed from the date of certification. The majority of terminations occur under this section of the legislation (98.6% in 2021).
• Section 11 allows termination of pregnancy to be carried out in the setting of a fetal condition likely to lead to death in utero or within 28 days of birth
• Sections 9 and 10 allow termination of pregnancy to be carried out in the setting of a risk to life or a risk of serious harm to the health of the pregnant person.

Termination of pregnancy can be medical or surgical, and can occur in primary (medical only) and secondary care settings. Complications can arise, though major complications are rare. Experiencing a crisis pregnancy can have significant psychosocial effects, and these can be exacerbated by experiencing further complications. A diagnosis of major fetal anomaly in pregnancy is usually unexpected, and causes grief and distress, which can be exacerbated by inadequate care and support.

Our research in this area

• Complications of termination of pregnancy
• Early pregnancy termination of pregnancy
• Review of services / service evaluation
• Staff knowledge and training
• Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly

Related policy briefs

• Experiences of pregnancy with major fetal anomalies
• Termination of Pregnancy: Training and clear guidance can have a meaningful impact on services

Our people

• Professor Keelin O’Donoghue
• Dr Sophie Boyd
• Dr Barbara Burke
• Dr Deirdre Hayes Ryan
• Dr Peter Jackson
• Dr Sara Leitao 
• Dr Hadas Miremberg
• Orla O’Connell
• Dr Stacey Power Walsh