4. The Greeks used abortion as a means of population control
Socrates reported that the midwives of Athens (he was the son of a midwife himself) resorted to several means to bring unwanted pregnancies to a premature end. The physicians of ancient Greece were aware of the surgical procedures for abortions, though they hesitated to perform them. Their concerns were over the risks to the mother, which were the same risks afforded by all forms of invasive surgery, shock, blood loss, and infections among them. Prostitutes were more likely to consult physicians for abortions than were married women, or unmarried women who became pregnant. Abortions were legal throughout ancient Greece.
Other methods than surgical abortions were reported by Socrates. Midwives provided drugs combined with various chants and charms which induced abortions. Potions derived from herbs and combinations of herbs were used for the same purpose. Among the herbs resorted to by the midwives were birthwort, roots and berries from juniper, myrrh, pennyroyal, and others, which were administered mixed with wine. Pennyroyal was also taken as a contraceptive, in the belief that it was effective in preventing pregnancy. None of the contraceptive practices nor abortions bore a social stigma in all levels of Greek society.