lunchtime abortion

So called because the procedure might conceivably be performed within the patient's lunchbreak.

lunchtime abortion (plural lunchtime abortions)

1. (derogatory) A conveniently available abortion, performed under local anesthetic soon after the onset of pregnancy.
   • 1983, Family Protection Report, volume 5:

     Aitken testified, "In recent years I personally have been involved in fights to prevent the State Health Service from closing down baby care facilities and opening 'lunchtime abortion clinics' instead."

   • 1986, Mary Kenny, Abortion: the whole story, page 287:

     Abortion became so much easier. I remember Germaine Greer wildly proclaiming to the women of the world that here was another new thing that was going to liberate women further, and that was the lunchtime abortion.

   • 2000, The Tablet, page 398:

     "We are already seeing an increase in post-abortion trauma in women who have had 'quickie' lunchtime abortions", he said, "as they have had insufficient time truly to consider the options available to them."