Read on Twitter
We are in an age where we champion women’s rights, but ‘Abortion’ is a word that we remain to hush on. Having an abortion isn’t exactly a process that any woman wants to go through.
What is abortion ?
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by various methods, including medical surgery before the fetus is able to sustain independent life.
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by various methods, including medical surgery before the fetus is able to sustain independent life.
It’s not exactly a light process, as it has an impact on both mental and physical health; people just about try every possible precaution under the sun to avoid it.
From pills, to implants, to IUD, condom, it’s all thrown at our faces like expensive, sometimes painful solutions to making sure we never ever have to get an abortion.But even after all these , unplanned pregnancies happen and only abortion seems to be the last resort to get out.
There are many myths and taboos regarding abortion, which make it very difficult to talk about. Let’s take a look at them
Myth 1: Abortion is not legal in India.
Myth 1: Abortion is not legal in India.
Fact : Abortion is Legal in India!
Abortions have been legal in India since 1971 for specific conditions up to 24 weeks gestation, including failure of contraceptives for married women. Abortion services are governed in our country by Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971.
Abortions have been legal in India since 1971 for specific conditions up to 24 weeks gestation, including failure of contraceptives for married women. Abortion services are governed in our country by Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971.
Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971 (MTP 1971)
In January 2020, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 allowing women to seek abortions as part of the reproductive right and gender justice.
In January 2020, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 allowing women to seek abortions as part of the reproductive right and gender justice.
The amendment has raised the upper limit of MTP from 20 weeks to 24 weeks for women including rape survivors, victims of incest, differently-abled women and minors.
Under the Bill, if any pregnancy occurs as a result of failure of any device or method used by a woman or her partner to limit the number of children, such an unwanted pregnancy may constitute a grave injury to the mental health of the pregnant woman.
The gestation period (foetal development period from the time of conception until birth) does not matter if a doctor feels that an immediate abortion must be conducted to save the life of the patient.
The doctor who determines if it is necessary to perform an abortion and performs it needs to be a ‘registered medical practitioner’ under the law.
The Bill proposes the requirement of the opinion of one registered medical practitioner (instead of two or more) for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation.
It introduces the requirement of the opinion of two registered medical practitioners for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.
It also states that the “name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed”, except to a person authorised in any law that is currently in force.
The act defines Illegal Abortions as:
1. Abortion of under 4 to 5 months pregnancy- The punishment for getting an illegal abortion is jail time of up to 3 years and/or fine, unless it was done in good faith to save the life of the patient.
1. Abortion of under 4 to 5 months pregnancy- The punishment for getting an illegal abortion is jail time of up to 3 years and/or fine, unless it was done in good faith to save the life of the patient.
Both patients and doctors are considered to have committed a crime unless it fulfills the above condition.
2.Abortion of over 5-month pregnancy- If abortion takes place when movements of the foetus can be sensed, the punishment is jail time of up to 7 years and fine unless it was done in good faith to save the life of the patient.
3.Abortion without consent - If anyone else forces the pregnant woman to have an abortion or performs one without her agreeing to it, the punishment is jail time of up to 10 years and fine.
4.Abortion resulting in death - If the patient dies because of a botched abortion or an abortion carried out by an unskilled person, the doctor who conducted the operation can be punished with jail time of up to 10 years and fine.
5.If the abortion was conducted without the patient’s permission, the punishment is a jail for life.
6.Intentionally causing the death of a foetus can also be prosecuted under other provisions of the IPC, 1860 under which the punishment can extend up to 10 years.
6.Intentionally causing the death of a foetus can also be prosecuted under other provisions of the IPC, 1860 under which the punishment can extend up to 10 years.
The present amendment to the MTP Act,is a progressive step towards empowerment of women. It provides greater reproductive rights to women as abortion is considered an important aspect of the reproductive health of women.
Myth 2 : If everyone uses Contraception there will be no need for abortion
Fact: Even if everyone uses Contraception, there will be a need for abortion
Fact: Even if everyone uses Contraception, there will be a need for abortion
Since contraceptives are not 100% effective and each method has an inherent failure rate , even if contraceptives are used correctly by all couples who want to avoid a pregnancy, women will still end up with an unplanned pregnancy.
According to WHO “An estimated 33 million contraceptive users worldwide are expected to experience accidental pregnancy. Some end up in unplanned births and some are terminated by induced abortion”
Myth 3 : Abortion is a complex and risky medical procedure.
Fact: Abortion is a safe and simple procedure.
There was a time when abortions were dangerous and illegal.
Fact: Abortion is a safe and simple procedure.
There was a time when abortions were dangerous and illegal.
Back alley abortion centers and home made tricks and gimmicks did make abortion difficult and dangerous in the earlier in earlier days.
Advancement in technology through introduction of Manual vacuum aspiration, electric vacuum aspiration and medical abortion has made abortions simpler and safer.
As per WHO technical and policy guidance for health providers on Safe Abortion “When performed by skilled providers using correct medical techniques and drugs, under hygienic conditions, induced abortion is a very safe medical procedure”.
Myth 4 :Abortions can affect women’s future pregnancy.
Fact: Abortions do not affect women’s future pregnancy.
Fact: Abortions do not affect women’s future pregnancy.
Experts globally believe that women who have had an abortion or more than one abortion by a trained healthcare professional usually do not have fertility issues. Currently there is no evidence to show that abortions can cause infertility.
Myth 5 : Your partner/husband/ guardian’s consent is required.
Fact: Only the woman’s consent is required.
As per the MTP Act, if the women is above the age of 18 only her consent that is required.
Fact: Only the woman’s consent is required.
As per the MTP Act, if the women is above the age of 18 only her consent that is required.
There is no need for a consent from her partner/husband or guardian. Only in the case of a minor (below the age of 18) a guardian’s consent is required.
Myth 6 : All abortions are sex selective.
Fact : An overwhelming majority of Abortions are for reasons other than sex selection.
A study by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shows that only 9% of all the abortions performed in India per year are sex selective in nature.
Fact : An overwhelming majority of Abortions are for reasons other than sex selection.
A study by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shows that only 9% of all the abortions performed in India per year are sex selective in nature.
This means that 91% of abortions happen due to various other reasons and are not linked to sex selection. It is estimated that between 85-90% of all abortions in India are before 12 weeks gestation. Ultrasound can detect the sex of the fetus only around 13-14 weeks gestation.
Myth 7: Fetus feel the pain
Fact :
It’s one of the most widely used arguments and insults thrown at women to pressure and guilt them into continuing with a pregnancy that is unwanted and may even be causing harm to their health.
Fact :
It’s one of the most widely used arguments and insults thrown at women to pressure and guilt them into continuing with a pregnancy that is unwanted and may even be causing harm to their health.
Pain is a result of our neocortex- a part of our nervous system- which isn’t developed until at least 24 weeks of gestation.
Study in the Journal of American Medicine shows that these pain receptors aren’t developed until 29-30 weeks of gestation(3rd trimester).99% of abortions, miscarriages, and ectopic pregnancies, are taken care of within the first trimester,long before the fetus would feel any pain
Myth 8 : Instead of abortions, people should place their unwanted babies for adoption.
Fact : Adoption is one choice people have when they face an unintended pregnancy and they do not wish to parent the child.
Fact : Adoption is one choice people have when they face an unintended pregnancy and they do not wish to parent the child.
For those who wish to choose adoption, they should have all the necessary support and resources to ensure they, the child and the adoptive family are well and thrive.
To put a baby up for adoption means that the person who faces an unintended pregnancy must carry the pregnancy to term. Pregnancy and birth can have a profound effect on someone’s health even years after childbirth.
Pregnancy and birth also carry far more risk than a first trimester abortion. Some individuals cannot carry out a pregnancy due to health reasons, work, their family situation, or childcare responsibilities.
For some,carrying that pregnancy to term and giving away the baby can be traumatic.Adoption is an important option for people who face an unintended pregnancy but it is not equivalent to an abortion and is a very personal choice that can only be made by the person who is pregnant
Myth 9: Only ‘bad women’ need abortions.
Fact: Abortions are extremely common, and a fundamental human right.26-41% of all pregnancies end in abortions. Placing moral barriers to abortions only increases abortion stigma and reduces access to safe abortions.
Fact: Abortions are extremely common, and a fundamental human right.26-41% of all pregnancies end in abortions. Placing moral barriers to abortions only increases abortion stigma and reduces access to safe abortions.
Myth 10 : Abortion increases your risk of breast cancer
Fact : It may sound scientific but it’s yet to be proved. There is no link between breast cancer and abortion.
Fact : It may sound scientific but it’s yet to be proved. There is no link between breast cancer and abortion.
National Cancer Institute regarded the expertise of 100 of the world’s leading breast cancer and cancer risk experts.They concluded that there was no risk in developing cancer after having an abortion.
The New England Journal of Medicine also came to the same conclusion after conducting a study of 1.5 million women.
Even after the SC held right to reproductive autonomy as an integral part of Right to Life under Article 21 of Constitution of India, the taboos surrounding abortion still exists.
A large group of people still sees abortion as murder and the termination of the pregnancy is considered to be destroying God’s gift and disrespect to life. Hardly few Indians discuss abortions openly. Rarely do women discuss concerns surrounding abortion.
The major reason being the lack of support from family and society and guilt that women receive because of abortion that it continues to remain a taboo.
Many at times we don’t take proper care to understand what the circumstances that led to the abortion are. It’s the woman’s choice whether she wants to continue with her pregnancy or not.
If it's not a planned parenthood bringing a child into the world may not end up being all sunshine and rainbows.
What we really learn to do is that, realize the person who has took the decision to abort is not talking about your uterus .If you don’t have a uterus then you don’t have an opinion and if it’s not your uterus then again then again you don’t have an opinion.
Fin.
Fin.
