Can induction of labor be performed at five months?

Induced abortion is feasible at five months of pregnancy. During the procedure, abortifacient drugs are injected into the uterine cavity to induce natural uterine contractions. Once cervical dilation occurs, the embryonic tissue is expelled spontaneously, followed by a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure.

If the embryonic tissue is completely expelled, D&C may not be necessary. However, the induction process is relatively prolonged, requiring hospitalization for two to three days. Abdominal pain typically begins approximately five to ten hours after drug administration and is comparable in intensity to that experienced during normal vaginal delivery, causing significant discomfort for the patient. This type of abortion also carries substantial physical risks. Therefore, if fetal development is normal, induced abortion is generally not recommended.