Test: Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy - NEET MCQ

Statement A is correct as MTP during the first trimester is generally considered safe. Statement C is also correct as intrauterine devices (IUDs) like copper-T are effective contraceptives.

Statement B is incorrect because while breastfeeding can reduce the chances of conception, it does not guarantee that conception is nil for up to two years. Statement D is incorrect as contraception pills are typically effective if taken before or shortly after coitus, not up to one week later.

Line in NCERT: "The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2017 was enacted by the government of India with the intention of reducing the incidence of illegal abortion and consequent maternal mortality and morbidity. According to this Act, a pregnancy may be terminated on certain considered grounds within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy." "IUDs are ideal contraceptives for the females who want to delay pregnancy and/or space children. It is one of most widely accepted methods of contraception in India." "Oral administration of small doses of either progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations is another contraceptive method used by the females." "Administration of progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations or IUDs within 72 hours of coitus have been found to be very effective as emergency contraceptives."

Vasectomy is the procedure used to sterilize males. It involves the removal of a part of vas deferens or it being tied up through an incision on the scrotum.

Line in NCERT: "Sterilisation procedure in the male is called 'vasectomy'."

 The purpose of MTP is to prevent an unwanted pregnancy that could have arisen due to casual unprotected coitus or incorrect use of contraceptive or due to rapes. They are also aimed at rescuing mothers from fatal pregnancies or from preventing parents from the shocks and expenses of a fatal fetus. They are not designed for female foeticide. Hence female foeticide has been illegalized by the Government of India.

Line in NCERT: "Another dangerous trend is the misuse of amniocentesis to determine the sex of the unborn child. Frequently, if the foetus is found to be female, it is followed by MTP- this is totally against what is legal."

Surgical methods are invasive. They work by using a surgical intervention to render one or both partners incompetent.

Line in NCERT: "Surgical methods, also called sterilisation, are generally advised for the male/female partner as a terminal method to prevent any more pregnancies."

Amniocentesis is primarily used for detecting fetal abnormalities and chromosomal defects (Options A and D) and is offered for genetic counseling (Option B). However, using amniocentesis to determine the sex of the fetus for the purpose of female foeticide (Option C) is a misuse and is considered unethical and illegal in many jurisdictions.

Line in NCERT: "Another dangerous trend is the misuse of amniocentesis to determine the sex of the unborn child."

Surgical methods are non-reversible. Hence these render the person sterile. These methods are therefore called sterilization.

Line in NCERT: "Surgical methods, also called sterilisation, are generally advised for the male/female partner as a terminal method to prevent any more pregnancies."

Surgical interventions involve the removal/breakage of connection between the site of synthesis and delivery of gamete. Thus, transport of gamete is inhibited.

Line in NCERT: "Surgical intervention blocks gamete transport and thereby prevent conception."

Option A is a common restriction, as many jurisdictions restrict MTP to the first trimester (up to 12 weeks) due to lower risk and safety considerations.
Option B is incorrect because MTP can be permitted for various reasons beyond the nature of the relationship, especially when health risks are involved.
Option C is not universally applied; MTP can often be performed in both private and government hospitals, depending on local regulations.
Option D is incorrect as many jurisdictions restrict MTP to less than 24 weeks, with some exceptions for specific health reasons.
Thus, Option A is the most accurate reflection of common legal restrictions on MTP.

Line in NCERT: "MTPs are considered relatively safe during the first trimester, i.e., upto 12 weeks of pregnancy."

Statement I is correct as MTPs are generally advised during the first trimester. Statement IV is correct as MTPs require the assistance of qualified medical personnel to ensure the procedure is safe and legal.

Statement II is incorrect because MTP is not used as a contraceptive method but rather to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Statement III is also incorrect as not all MTPs are surgical; there are also medical (non-surgical) methods available.

Line in NCERT: "MTPs are considered relatively safe during the first trimester, i.e., upto 12 weeks of pregnancy." "MTP is generally performed to get rid of unwanted pregnancy due to rapes, casual relationship, etc., as also in cases when the continuation of pregnancy could be harmful or even fatal to either the mother, or the foetus or both." "One disturbing trend observed is that a majority of the MTPs are performed illegally by unqualified quacks which are not only unsafe but could be fatal too."

Option B is the correct answer as it comprehensively captures the multifaceted role of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) in public health. MTP serves not only as a method to manage unwanted pregnancies but also fits within the broader framework of reproductive health. This involves:

Access to Safe Abortion Services: Ensuring that MTP is available through regulated, safe procedures is crucial for protecting women's health.
Education on Contraception: Providing education about effective contraceptive methods can help prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the reliance on MTP.
Ethical Considerations: Addressing ethical issues such as gender selection and the misuse of amniocentesis for non-medical reasons ensures that MTP is used appropriately and that societal biases do not influence its practice.
This holistic approach recognizes that MTP is intertwined with various aspects of public health, including social, ethical, and educational factors, rather than focusing solely on a single issue like population control or socio-economic reasons.

Line in NCERT: "Medical termination of pregnancy is legalised in our country. MTP is generally performed to get rid of unwanted pregnancy due to rapes, casual relationship, etc., as also in cases when the continuation of pregnancy could be harmful or even fatal to either the mother, or the foetus or both."