She may be young and in denial about her pregnancy
	She may have not sought an abortion in her first trimester, but has waited until she can no longer hide her pregnancy.
	Some fetuses are found to have a serious genetic defect. Ultrasound examinations are normally given at about 17 weeks gestation, when "fetal organs have developed enough to detect such abnormalities." An amniocenteses procedure is sometimes done at this time, particularly for women over the age of 35. Either procedure can detect abnormalities that can cause the fetus: To die during pregnancy. To be born alive but die within hours or days, perhaps in pain, perhaps without gaining consciousness. To be born with very serious mental or physical disabilities that will severely limit their quality of life.
	Dr. Katharine O'Connell of New York's Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital commented: "If the defect is diagnosed early, to wait the months knowing what the inevitable outcome will be is much more upsetting and detrimental. This is one of the worst things a woman can go through. We want to provide her with as many options as possible." A small percentage of couples will elect to take no action, and to continue the pregnancy. Almost all couples, when faced with these prognoses, will elect to terminate the pregnancy. As of 2003-NOV-6, their options are limited to: Induced labor, "D&E" (dilation and evacuation), and "D&X" (dilation and extraction). This is often popularly called "Partial Birth Abortion" although that is a vague term which lacks a definitive medical definition. More details.

President Bush has signed a bill into law which will criminalize almost all D&X abortions. Constitutional experts are divided over whether the law can survive a court challenge. A number of court injunctions have been obtained to prevent the application of the law.

	To save the life or health of a women experiencing a deteriorating health problem. This problem can rapidly grow worse with every day in late pregnancy, and can only be reversed by terminating the pregnancy. It is most often caused by diabetes or heart disease.
	A midwifery web site quotes Dr. William F. Harrison, a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2 He wrote that "approximately 1 in 2000 fetuses develop hydrocephalus while in the womb." About 5,000 fetuses develop hydrocephalus each year in the U.S. This is not usually discovered until late in the second trimester. A fetus with severe hydrocephalus is alive, but cannot live for long; it will never achieve consciousness.
	In rare cases, the delivery of the fetus can go terribly wrong, threatening the life of the woman.

As of 2003-OCT-9, their options are limited. The main ones are:

	Hysterotomy: This involves major surgery. It is essentially identical to a Caesarian Section. It involves significantly higher risk to a woman than a D&X.
	"D&X" (dilation and extraction). The third method is often popularly called "Partial Birth Abortion" although that is not a medical term.