Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act the opinion of two registered medical practitioners is necessary to terminate the pregnancy. Where the pregnancy exceeds :
**Question:** Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, the opinion of two registered medical practitioners is necessary to terminate the pregnancy. Where the pregnancy exceeds:
A. 12 weeks
B. 20 weeks
C. 24 weeks
D. 28 weeks
**Correct Answer:** .
**Core Concept:** Understanding the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and its requirements for terminating a pregnancy.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer, **D. 28 weeks**, refers to the gestational age at which a pregnancy is considered "viable," meaning the fetus has a reasonable chance of survival outside the womb. After 28 weeks, the chances of survival without significant medical intervention increase significantly. The act mandates the involvement of two registered medical practitioners to ensure proper assessment and patient safety.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. **12 weeks:** This is too early in pregnancy, and the fetus is not likely to survive outside the womb without significant medical intervention.
B. **20 weeks:** Although an increase in the risk of complications when compared to earlier gestational ages, 20 weeks is still within a critical period for fetal development and survival.
C. **24 weeks:** Similar to option B, 24 weeks is within the critical period for fetal development and survival, making the involvement of two practitioners necessary.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act requires the involvement of two registered medical practitioners to ensure proper assessment, patient safety, and ethical considerations. In the context of pregnancy gestational age, option D (28 weeks) is the correct answer because it represents the gestational age at which a pregnancy is considered viable, increasing the chances of fetal survival without significant medical intervention.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Earlier gestational ages (12 weeks) are too early, and the fetus is not likely to survive outside the womb without significant medical intervention.
B. Gestational ages around 20 weeks are still within a critical period for fetal development, making the involvement of two practitioners essential.
C. While 24 weeks is a later gestational age, it still falls within the critical period for fetal development, and the involvement of two practitioners is necessary to ensure proper assessment and patient safety.