The earliest written record of abortion is from the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, which dates back to around 1550 BC. The papyrus describes a method for inducing abortion using a tampon coated with honey and crushed dates. Other ancient methods included physical activities like climbing, diving, weightlifting, and paddling.

The first antiabortion laws were passed in Britain in 1803, and the U.S. followed suit as individual states began to outlaw abortion. In the U.S., abortion was illegal except in cases where it was necessary to save the woman's life by 1880.

In Western Europe and the U.S., women healers provided abortions and trained other women to do so until the late 1800s.