Considerable data has been reported on the outcome of pregnancies subsequent to induced abortion, but the findings contain a great deal of inconsistency and disagreement. Most studies strongly suggest that normal deliveries are less likely to occur in subsequent pregnancies following induced abortion, in terms of gestation length, birth weight, stillbirth, and miscarriage. Other work suggests that some of the demographic and health characteristics of women who experience induced abortion are different from those women who do not; and these factors may affect the outcome of subsequent pregnancies profoundly rather than the induced abortion itself.