AMWA's mission is to support policies and programs that improve women's health. Therefore, the American Medical Women's Association has adopted the position that the decision to continue or interrupt a pregnancy belongs to the pregnant woman, in consultation with her physician.
All pregnancies involve potential health risks.
A pregnant woman's decision to complete or terminate a pregnancy is a medical and personal issue, to be made in the privacy of the doctor-patient relationship. Every pregnancy taken to term requires high standards of prenatal care to assure the best possible outcome. Every pregnancy interrupted by abortion requires that the procedure be carried out by the appropriate technique under safe, sterile conditions, by trained, competent professionals in order to protect the health and future fertility of the patient. Abortions will be chosen whether they are legal or illegal. Many women suffered reproductive tract damage, infection, bleeding, permanent sterility, or death.