MTP After 20 weeks: When & How?

Medical Termination of pregnancy is a common gynaecological procedure. Unlike other procedures, this procedure has ethical, moral and legal overtones. Medical termination of pregnancy is governed strictly by the Medical Termination of pregnancy Act (MTP Act). The law allows termination of pregnancy [TOP] for "certain" indications and only until "certain" weeks of pregnancy. This poses serious dilemma in front of the gynaecologist. Judicial activism by the author paved way to significant relaxations and amendment to the law. These amendments, when applicable, will enable women and their care givers to undergo legal termination of pregnancy even after twenty weeks in certain situations. The MTP Act has been amended in 2021 by the parliament. After the rules and regulations are amended, it is likely to get applicable soon. The new law has resolved few dilemmas and created new ethical and legal issues.