Abortion Is as Old as Pregnancy: 4,000 Years of Reproductive Rights History

By Katie Klabusich, Truthout | News Analysis

Abortion has always existed. The earliest written record of abortion is more than 4,000 years old. Pregnancy has always been accompanied by the seeking and sharing of methods for ending pregnancy.

The United States' history with abortion is complicated and currently in flux. Up until 1821, abortion simply existed and, like pregnancy and other "woman-related" business, was entrusted to midwives and other caregivers. The transition to outright criminalization of abortion would take more than 50 years; prohibition would last a century.