Australia – These women were told their babies would not survive – but Catholic-run public hospitals refused to provide abortions

Both Jennifer and Amy were devastated when their wanted pregnancies were deemed unviable, but they were forced to go elsewhere when Catholic-run public hospitals would not terminate

by Donna Lu
Tue 5 Sep 2023

When Jennifer* fell pregnant for the first time in August 2019, there was no indication that anything was amiss. But the Melbourne-based healthcare worker was given bad news at her 12-week ultrasound scan: her foetus had a severe genetic condition.

“They detected a severe abnormality in the baby, which I already knew was a girl, so I’d already gotten a bit excited about having a daughter,” Jennifer recalls. “They said … essentially you could choose to bring the baby to term and give birth to her but if you do, she’ll be placed into palliative care immediately, so we’re recommending that you strongly consider a medical termination.”

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/05/the-women-refused-medical-terminations-abortions-catholic-public-hospitals-australia

Amended Abortion Law Still Gives Doctors, Not Women, The Final Say

The amended abortion law has allowed termination of pregnancy up to 24 weeks but with a medical board's approval. Abortion is still not available on demand and a woman's agency is not recognised

By Akshita Nagpal
27 April, 2021

New Delhi: The terms for abortion have been liberalised in India after an amended law received the President's assent on March 25, 2021. But gender and reproductive rights activists are disappointed that the law still does not recognise abortion as a woman's choice that can be sought on-demand, as is the practice in 73 countries.

These are the key changes that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP Amendment) Act, 2021, has brought in:

Continued: https://www.indiaspend.com/gendercheck/amended-abortion-law-still-gives-doctors-not-women-the-final-say-744747

Four reasons why Poland’s war on abortion should scare you

This is not just ‘Poland being Poland’. These actions are illegal, inhumane and could spread across Europe – and this is just the beginning.

Neil Datta
3 February 2021

Poland’s near-total abortion ban came into effect last week when it was published in the country’s official government gazette. Polish hospitals and medical practitioners are no longer allowed to carry out an abortion in the case of a foetal anomaly. Such cases made up the great majority of terminations performed in the country, which, even before the new ban, already had the harshest abortion law in Europe – now, abortions are only permitted in cases of rape and incest and when the mother’s life or health are endangered.

What’s happening in Poland right now shouldn’t be seen as merely typical behaviour by the Polish state. This is not just ‘Poland being Poland’. These actions are illegal, inhumane and could infiltrate the rest of Europe – and this is just the beginning.

Continued: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/four-reasons-why-polands-war-on-abortion-should-scare-you/

India – Medical board on abortion ‘unfeasible’, says study

82% of obstetrics-gynaecology, paediatric and other specialist posts vacant

Jagriti Chandra
JANUARY 31, 2021

A panel of doctors to decide on termination of pregnancy beyond 24 weeks as proposed in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Amendment Bill, 2020, is “unfeasible” as 82% of these posts are lying vacant in the country, finds a new study.

The MTP Bill was passed in Lok Sabha in March 2020, and is likely to be brought before Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session.

Continued: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/medical-board-on-abortion-unfeasible-says-study/article33711124.ece

Why 243 Indian women had to ask a court for permission to abort

Each year, millions of women in India find themselves with an unintended or an unwanted pregnancy for various reasons

Akshi Chawla
September 5, 2020

In March 2020, Swati (name changed) decided to end her pregnancy after her partner refused to marry her and ended the relationship. By this time, she was 24 weeks pregnant and abortion, under India’s current laws, would have been a criminal offence. She moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court pleading that the pregnancy was affecting her mental health. If she gave birth, the child would “suffer the mental torture” throughout its life, she said.

The court refused to give permission. The state government had argued that there were no grounds for an abortion since the pregnancy was the outcome of a voluntary act and she was “very much aware of the consequence”. The court agreed with the government, adding that while there was always the possibility that the pregnant woman and her partner could resume their relationship, termination would be absolute.

Continued: https://www.business-standard.com/article/health/why-243-women-had-to-ask-a-court-for-permission-to-abort-says-report-120090500257_1.html

Ireland – Foetal anomaly cases require ‘teams of doctors’

Foetal anomaly cases require ‘teams of doctors’
Guidelines indicate foetal medicine specialist should be involved once a diagnosis is made

Tue, Jan 22, 2019
Paul Cullen

Decisions on whether or not to provide terminations in cases of foetal anomaly should be reached by multidisciplinary teams of doctors on a consensus basis, newly prepared guidelines indicate.

The multidisciplinary team (MDT) should be a formally-constituted committee of the hospital whose decisions are documented in clinical notes, according to the guidelines from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/foetal-anomaly-cases-require-teams-of-doctors-1.3765920

22.01.2019

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India – Late abortion not that risky any more: Experts

Late abortion not that risky any more: Experts

TNN | Jan 12, 2019

KOLKATA: The Kolkata woman who has sought an abortion at 24 weeks is not an exception, since more than 50 such cases — including one in the city — have been reported from around the country in recent years, said Mumbai-based gynaecologist Nikhil Datar. Medical termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks — which requires a clearance from court — should now be allowed without legal sanction if it is found to be clinically permissible, according to Datar.

Datar had treated another Kolkata woman who went through a successful abortion two years ago. On that occasion, a seven-member medical board had been formed at SSKM Hospital to oversee the procedure which took three days.

Continued: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/late-abortion-not-that-risky-any-more-experts/articleshow/67497749.cms

Ireland: Abortion report by citizens’ assembly demands 20-week anomaly scans

Abortion report by citizens’ assembly demands 20-week anomaly scans
Ellen Coyne, Senior Ireland Reporter

June 26 2017, The Times

All women in Ireland should have access to 20-week anomaly scans, a report on abortion reform will recommend.

Universal standards in maternity services are understood to be among additional recommendations included in Ms Justice Mary Laffoy’s report, which is due this week.

Continued at source: The Times: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/abortion-report-by-citizens-assembly-demands-20-week-anomaly-scans-p29zvt35p

27.06.2017