The amended Act allows abortions up to 24 weeks for certain categories, like rape/incest survivors, minors, or foetal anomalies, with approval from two doctors or a medical board
Dr Nikhil Datar
October 11, 2025
‘Is my baby normal?’ Asha asked tearfully, her hands clenched tightly around her husband’s arm. I replied that we have run the tests twice and confirmed that her baby has hydrocephalus. I was trying to buy time with technical jargon, hoping she and her husband could compose themselves to receive the next piece of news. Even though it pained me to see the shock and disappointment on their faces, I had no option but to proceed with discussing these facts.
Asha’s unborn baby had developed a large head with fluid filling its brain, compressing the developing neural tissue. There was also a cyst on the spinal cord called a meningomyelocele. “Babies with hydrocephalus and meningomyelocele are born alive but will be severely restrained both physically and mentally," I told them. “Sometimes, they are paralysed from the waist down. Treatments and surgeries may help, but often, the outcomes aren’t great."