When Abortions are Performed:

"Late-term" abortion is a controversial term, but it usually refers to abortions that are done much later in a pregnancy than most, often after 24 weeks of gestation. The procedure is controversial because the fetus is much more developed than in the earlier stages of pregnancy. Abortion-rights advocacy groups say that the procedure is usually performed when the fetus has a major abnormality or when continuing the pregnancy threatens the life or health of the mother. But scientific evidence proving that claim remains elusive."Late-term" abortion is a controversial term, but it usually refers to abortions that are done much later in a pregnancy than most, often after 24 weeks of gestation. The procedure is controversial because the fetus is much more developed than in the earlier stages of pregnancy. Abortion-rights advocacy groups say that the procedure is usually performed when the fetus has a major abnormality or when continuing the pregnancy threatens the life or health of the mother. But scientific evidence proving that claim remains elusive.