Abortion

2024: US abolishes abortion rights: Women now opt for sterilization

On April 9, 2024, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law to ban abortions at the request of the mother. Thus, Arizona becomes the 15th American state to completely ban abortion. Against this background, the popularity of sterilization procedures is growing among young people in the United States.

The law in question prohibits the artificial termination of pregnancy. Moreover, exceptions are not provided even for cases of rape and incest. Violation of the law is punishable by imprisonment for a term of two to five years. The only indication for abortion is the threat to a woman's life and health.

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Unsplash

This ruling is the result of radical plans by elected officials from the Republican Party who seek to deprive women of their freedom, said US President Biden.

Meanwhile, sterilization surgeries for both women and men are on the rise in the U.S., according to the journal JAMA Health Forum. In the first case, the fallopian tubes are tied: this procedure involves cutting or overlapping the fallopian tubes. This stops the egg moving from the ovary to the uterus, so fertilization and implantation cannot occur. In the case of men, a vasectomy is performed - an operation in which a fragment of the vas deferens is ligated or removed.

After the abolition of the constitutional right to abortion in the United States, it is estimated that there are 58 tubal ligation procedures per 100 thousand outpatient visits. This is 5.31 procedures per month more compared to the indicators recorded earlier. Among men, approximately 27 cases of vasectomy per 100 thousand outpatient visits are recorded. At the same time, the monthly number of such procedures, as stated in the study, has practically not changed.^[1]

2023

The number of abortions in Poland has soared 5 times since 2020

The number of legal abortions in Poland from 2020 to 2023 increased approximately fivefold. Moreover, this rapid growth is observed against the background of the current ban on termination of pregnancy due to fetal pathology.

On October 22, 2020, the Constitutional Court of Poland made a decision, according to which abortions for embryopathological reasons are prohibited in the country. This was expected to reduce the number of terminations of pregnancy to almost zero. The fact is that earlier the bulk of abortions in the country were performed precisely because of fetal malformations, which were detected through computed tomography. So, in 2020, out of 1074 procedures, 1053 were performed for pathological reasons. However, in fact, it turned out that the ban is ineffective.

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Reason Magazine

According to the Polish Ministry of Health, in 2023, 425 legal abortions were carried out in the country, which is almost three times more than in 2022, when there were 161. It is said that the indicator increases several times every year. Therefore, it is expected that in 2024 the number of legal abortion procedures will exceed 1000.

In Poland, abortion has been banned since 1993, but there are exceptions. These are cases where there is a threat to the life of a pregnant woman, as well as pregnancies resulting from rape. After the introduction of the ban of 2020, doctors began to use a new interpretation of the threat to the life of a pregnant woman for legal abortions: now this definition applies to the mental health of the patient. As a result, the number of pregnancies threatening a woman's health or life is growing rapidly in Poland. In 2023, for this reason, 423 abortions were performed, while in 2020 - only 21. It is noted that this wording is most often applied to pregnancies in which an incurable disease or damage to the fetus is diagnosed.^[2]

Roszdravnadzor blocked 1,181 sites selling abortion drugs

At the end of July 2023 Roszdravnadzor , he presented statistics, according to which, as a result of monitoring due to the presence of proposals for retail to trade drugs intended for medical termination of pregnancy, 1,181 sites were blocked.

The department said that work in this direction will continue, but this will not affect the decrease in the availability of medicines for terminating pregnancy on the Russian market.

1,181 sites selling abortion drugs blocked

According to Roszdravnadzor's explanations, responsibility for accounting for drugs from the established list rests with their manufacturers, wholesalers of drugs, pharmacies, individual entrepreneurs licensed for pharmaceutical or medical activities, as well as medical organizations that deal with the circulation of medicines. At the same time, all operations related to changing the number or state of drugs subject to strict accounting are recorded in special accounting journals.

The department added that accounting for the number of drugs is not aimed at reducing their availability. When prescribing drugs included in the quantitative registration list, the doctor must use the prescription form of form 148-1/u-88, which is subject to strict reporting. This prescription is valid for 15 days. The prescription statement, if necessary, does not pose a problem for the doctor.

According to the WHO, medical abortion is the safest method of abortion. For it, drugs of the antigen group are used: the most popular is mifepristone. On its basis, prescription drugs for contraception "Zhenale" and "Ginepreston" are produced. According to the classic scheme for medical abortion, the clinic first takes mifepristone, and then misoprostol. They can only be used in a medical institution under the supervision of a doctor.^[3]

Mordovia was the first of the regions of Russia to adopt a law banning the inducement of women to abortion

Mordovia became the first Russian region to legally ban pregnant women from abortion. Fines for this offense will be for citizens of the Russian Federation from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles, for legal entities - from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles. Local deputies adopted the corresponding law on August 2, 2023.

Under the inclination to artificial termination of pregnancy, according to the law, the coercion of a pregnant woman to this will be considered by persuasion, offers, bribery, deception or other demands. At the same time, the propaganda of abortion is not informing Russian doctors about the presence of medical indications for artificial termination of pregnancy.

Mordovia became the first Russian region where it was legally banned to persuade pregnant women to abortion

The law "On the prohibition of propaganda of artificial termination of pregnancy and inducement to artificial termination of pregnancy on the territory of the Republic of Mordovia" was submitted for discussion by the Public Chamber of the region. Its authors note that the Concept of State Family Policy in Russia for the period until 2025 calls abortion one of the factors that negatively affect women's health, and also recognizes the high number of abortions as one of the reasons for the low birth rate.

The head of Mordovia, Artem Zdunov, noted on August 3, 2023 that both public and religious organizations approved the idea of ​ ​ introducing a ban. He clarified that Natalya Moskvitina, head of the Women for Life Foundation, became the promotion of the initiative. Work on the introduction of a ban in the region was carried out jointly with United Russia and the State Duma. In addition, the leader of the republic drew attention to the fact that in Mordovia recently cases of artificial termination of pregnancy have been recorded less often. According to him, five private clinics independently decided to refuse to conduct abortions.^[4]

The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation supported the restriction on the sale of abortion drugs

On July 17, 2023, the head of the Ministry of Health, Mikhail Murashko, called for tight control of drugs for medical abortion. According to him, the issue of restricting the sale of drugs for abortion was discussed at a meeting of the presidium of the United Russia faction in the State Duma.

The block of questions concerned demographic areas, in particular, restrictions on the sale and transfer to subject-quantitative accounting of abortion drugs. We support and believe that this year this process must be completed, - said Murashko (quoted by Interfax).

The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation supported the restriction on the sale of abortion drugs

He believes that drugs for medical abortion should be "tightly controlled" for treatment in medical and pharmaceutical organizations. By mid-July 2023, in Russia, in particular, psychotropic substances, potent and poisonous substances are subject to substantive and quantitative accounting.

According to the head of the Ministry of Health on July 18, 2023, the number of abortions in the country has significantly decreased in recent years. This is a notable achievement and indicates that the measures taken are effective. However, Murashko admits that there is still work to completely solve this problem. Reducing the number of abortions has become a key task of the Ministry of Health, and they continue to actively work on its solution. As part of this work, various activities are being carried out aimed at providing information on family planning, supporting alternative methods of contraception, as well as creating conditions for the birth and upbringing of children, he added.

According to Murashko, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation has developed a draft order to control the circulation of drugs for interruption, interested pregnancies federal authorities have already given their comments on the document.

In terms of subject-quantitative accounting of drugs that are used to terminate pregnancy: this was, among other things, our initiative, we believe that this can be done, subject-quantitative accounting should be, because we see that there is abuse in this direction, - said the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation at a plenary meeting of the State Duma on July 18, 2023.[5]

Deputy Prime Minister Golikova named the regions where abortions are most often performed

In early July 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova named the regions where abortions are most often performed. According to her, the highest rates of termination of pregnancy per thousand women of fertile age were noted in Yakutia, Sakhalin, Sverdlovsk, Pskov, Irkutsk regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Mari El.

Golikova also noted that, despite a significant, "almost 40%," a decrease in the number of abortions in 2021 compared to 2015, every year the decision to terminate pregnancy occurs "in almost 500 thousand cases."

Tatyana Golikova

At the same time, a third of such interruptions could be avoided if targeted, targeted work with women was carried out and the reasons for termination of pregnancy were identified and influenced, she said at a government hour in the Federation Council on July 5, 2023.

According to Golikova, in order to increase the birth rate, on behalf of the president and the government, the regions, with the direct assistance of federal executive bodies, are developing and approving programs to stimulate the birth rate. 82 regions have already completed such work, the Deputy Prime Minister added.

On March 10, 2023, State Duma deputy from United Russia Sultan Khamzaev announced the need to equate the inclination of women to abortion with the murder of a person and introduce appropriate responsibility into the Criminal Code. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia proposed to ban abortions in private clinics.

The first deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Family, Women and Children Tatyana Butskaya said that the deputies would not support the introduction of a ban on abortion in Russia. According to her, such restrictions can "push women to crime."

We will definitely not talk about any ban. We will talk about the fact that every woman who becomes pregnant, she is visible to the state, can rely on the state, we can help her and support her in all directions, "she said in March 2023.^[6]

Ministry of Health: The number of abortions at the request of a woman in Russia in 10 years has decreased by 70%

According to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, in 2022 the number of abortions performed at the request of a woman decreased by almost 70% compared to 10 years ago. Such figures were given by the deputy head of the department Oleg Salagay on May 12, 2023.

According to him, in 2022, about 45 thousand women refused abortions as a result of pre-abortion counseling. Oleg Salay added that the coverage of pre-abortion counseling exceeded 90%.

The number of abortions at the request of a woman in Russia in 10 years has decreased by 70%

In Russia, according to Salagai, there is a "week of silence" - this is the time between the appeal of a woman and the procedure, as well as psychological pre-abortion counseling.

In early May 2023, it became known that the Ministry of Health developed unified speech modules for obstetricians-gynecologists to consult women "in a state of reproductive choice." They were developed as part of a project of a unified procedure for pre-abortion psychological counseling, on which the department is working together with the Ministry of Labor.

The document contains speech modules - phrases that doctors must use in a conversation with girls under 18, women 18-35 years old and over 35 years old who decide to terminate the pregnancy.

So, a girl under the age of 18, who wants to have an abortion because of her own physical and psychological immaturity ("I am a child myself "/" why do I need a child"), an obstetrician-gynecologist must answer: "Being a young mother is great!," "Children born young parents are very close to them, because they are almost from the same generation." A woman under 35 years old in case she wants to have an abortion, because she is lonely, is invited to say that "having a child will not be a hindrance to meet her life partner." To a woman over 35 years old who is afraid to give birth to a sick child is to explain that "perinatal diagnosis, which is well developed and widespread in the Russian Federation, allows you to diagnose various types of disorders free of charge and in a timely manner^[7]

134 countries punish abortion

Abortion is criminalized in almost all countries of the world, despite the risks to the health of patients. This is stated in a study by BMJ Global Health, the results of which were released on March 20, 2023.

The authors of the report analyzed abortion statistics in 182 countries. This used information from the Global Abortion Policy Database (GAPD). It is emphasized that a comprehensive study of penalties for abortion at the world level has not been carried out.

It says 134 countries have penalties for women who want an underground abortion. 181 states have established penalties for persons carrying out such procedures. And 159 countries punish those who help with illegal abortion. The maximum sentence in most cases is up to 5 years in prison, but in some countries the prison sentence can be much longer - up to life. A number of states also provide for fines and professional sanctions. In 34 countries, the dissemination of information about abortion is limited.

In more than 160 countries, the definition and penalties for abortion offences are contained in the general criminal code. In 12 states, offences and penalties are included in separate laws relating to abortion. In eight countries, such norms are spelled out in other types of legal documents, in particular, in health codes, reproductive health laws and children.

It is noted that in 11 countries abortion is completely criminalized and prohibited under any circumstances. While in some countries fines can be imposed as an alternative to imprisonment, in most cases monetary penalties are in addition to imprisonment. In some countries, other punishments may apply: these include a ban on residence, forced labor, etc.^[8]

2022

Sales of abortion drugs in Russia increased by 60% to 1.4 million packages

In 2022, about 1.4 million packages of drugs for medical abortion were sold in Russia, which is 60% more than a year ago. RNC Pharma experts cited such data in early August 2023.

According to Oksana Bogdashevskaya, chief gynecologist of the Fomin Clinic network of medical centers, the growth in sales of drugs for medical abortion may be associated, among other things, with the introduction of changes to federal clinical recommendations for the completion of undeveloped pregnancies in 2021. In such cases, the recommended method is drug completion, while surgery was more often used before. In addition, in recent years, the proportion of medical abortions among all cases of abortion is growing.

About 1.4 million packages of drugs for medical abortion were sold in Russia

This is the right trend and the result of many years of work by obstetricians-gynecologists, "she said in a conversation with Kommersant.

RNC Pharma Development Director Nikolai Bespalov suggests that a serious increase in demand for drugs for medical abortion in 2022 may be associated with a general information agenda.

The start of a special military operation, sanctions, falling incomes of the population and partial mobilization - all these factors hardly contributed to the planning of family expansion. As a result, the demand for abortion procedures, including for certain groups of drugs, could really increase, the expert explained.

This point of view was supported by the volunteer of the YouNeOdina women's mutual assistance network, general practitioner, local coordinator of SCORA IFMSA (engaged in sexual health) in Samara Elizabeth Lvova. According to her, the current situation affects "the desire of people to control the birth of children more than ever."

Sociologist, founder of the Platform social design center Alexei Firsov says that in conditions when the planning horizon is "shrinking," people are really "uncomfortable with having children who are the crown of long-term planning."^[9]

In Russia, private clinics performed a fifth of all abortions

By the end of 2022, private clinics in Russia conducted 102,242 abortions, which approximately corresponds to one fifth of the total number of abortion procedures in the country. Rosstat published such data on July 24, 2023.

According to Vedomosti, citing Rosstat materials, the number of abortions in commercial medical institutions of the Russian Federation in 2022 increased by 2.8%, while in the state segment the figure decreased by 3.7%, to 401,683 procedures.

Private clinics in Russia in 2022 conducted 102,242 abortions

According to Rosstat estimates, the total number of abortions performed in Russian state and commercial clinics in 2022 decreased by 2.3%, amounting to 506,005 procedures. The total indicator also takes into account the procedures carried out in medical units at the production facilities, a representative of the department explained to the newspaper. According to him, they have a license to conduct abortions, but are not allocated to a separate medical institution, so they do not belong to either private or state hospitals.

According to the publication, the total number of abortions in the country has been declining over the past few years. So, in 2018, for example, both private and public clinics, for comparison, carried out 661,045 abortion procedures.

According to Vedomosti, some officials believe that Rosstat's statistics on abortions in commercial clinics do not reflect their real number. According to Alexei Kurinny, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, private medical organizations hide the numbers on the abortion procedures carried out, since by July 2023 no serious punishment follows for their failure. Earlier in 2023, Patriarch Kirill made a proposal to exclude abortions from the list of services of private clinics.^[10]

Ministry of Health: The number of abortions in Russia has halved in 10 years

The number of abortions in Russia has more than halved over the past decade. This was announced by the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko on February 1, 2023 during the government hour in the Federation Council.

According to the head of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, a significant decrease in the number of abortions in Russia became possible due to the introduction of pre-abortion counseling. Thanks to this work, 44 thousand women refused to terminate pregnancy in 2022.

The number of abortions in Russia in 10 years has halved

In 2022, the Aktion Medicine service interviewed Russian gynecologists, reproductive therapists and other family planning specialists to establish the main factors affecting the birth rate of children. Only 17% of experts surveyed believe that a decrease in the number of abortions will help an increase in the birth rate in Russia.

From the point of view of doctors, the birth rate will help increase the increase in social assistance to citizens (47.7%), improve medical care for women (45.1%), and introduce sexual education in schools (33.8%). The latter will prevent early pregnancies and reduce the number of sexually transmitted diseases.

On January 26, 2023, the Russian Orthodox Church took the initiative to ban abortion for married women without the consent of her husband. According to the chairman of the patriarchal commission on family issues, the protection of motherhood and children Fyodor Lukyanov, it is also necessary to provide for criminal and administrative liability for illegal artificial termination of pregnancy and advertising of abortions. The head of the State Duma Committee on Family, Women and Children Nina Ostanina (Communist Party of the Russian Federation) did not support the initiative. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill also called for the exclusion of artificial termination of pregnancy from the list of services of private clinics in Russia.^[11]

Directors of a private medical center in Chita put on the federal wanted list in the case of illegal abortions

At the end of November 2022, it became known about the announcement on the federal wanted list of the director of the Diagnostics medical center in Chita (Trans-Baikal Territory) Margarita Nikitina. She is in the case of illegal abortions. Read more here.

The number of abortions in Russia in recent years has decreased by 250 thousand.

The number of registered medical abortions in Russia over the past 5-7 years has decreased by about 250 thousand.. This was announced in early September 2022 by the chief freelance specialist of the Russian Ministry of Health Oleg Apolikhin. According to him, about 400 thousand such operations are carried out per year.

The number of abortions... our ministry has made significant progress in this. We have reduced by almost 250 thousand, and maybe more, the number of medical abortions, which we now have is decreasing from year to year. But still, the number of medical abortions somewhere within 450 thousand, 420 thousand, 360 thousand - there are different statistics from Rosstat - this is a lot, - he said Apolikhin (quoted by TASS).

The number of abortions in Russia in recent years has decreased by 250 thousand.

According to him, most often abortions in Russia are performed by women aged 25-39 years. Despite the decrease in the number of such operations, abortions cannot be withdrawn from the compulsory health insurance system (Compulsory Medical Insurance Campus Management) - the initiative is dangerous and will lead to an increase in maternal mortality, said Natalia Dolgushina, chief freelance specialist of the Ministry of Health on women's reproductive health.

In August 2022, State Duma deputy Vitaly Milonov said that in the coming months, a draft law on the withdrawal of abortions from the compulsory health insurance system could be submitted to parliament for consideration. According to the parliamentarian, those who oppose the ban on abortion voluntarily or involuntarily support the pharmacological mafia, since the bodies of unborn babies "are used for various cosmetic and other purposes." He also added that opponents of the abortion ban cannot be called believers.

In Russia, it is necessary to introduce mandatory informing the population about the dangers of abortion during all events where abortion issues are discussed, said Irina Volynets, Commissioner for the Rights of the Child in the Republic of Tatarstan, founder of the National Parents' Committee.^[12]

2021

Poland recorded the first case of the death of a pregnant woman associated with the ban on abortion

In early November 2021, Poland recorded the first case of the death of a pregnant woman associated with the ban on abortion. A Polish hospital said doctors and midwives did everything they could to save the life of a pregnant woman and her fetus in a case that drew attention to a new restriction on Polish abortion law.

A 30-year-old woman died of septic shock at the 22nd week of pregnancy. Doctors did not have an abortion, even though her fetus did not have amniotic fluid, the family lawyer said.

Poles hold sign calling for legalization of abortion and candles in memory of woman who died at 22 weeks pregnant

Reproductive rights activists say she is the first person to die as a result of the October 22, 2020 restrictions on Poland's abortion law. Some of the supporters of the new abortion ban said there was no certainty that it led to the woman's death and accused women's rights activists of exploiting the situation.

The woman, identified only as Isabela, died in September 2021, but her case was only made public on October 29 on Friday, sparking protests in Warsaw, Krakow and elsewhere on Monday November 1. People lit candles in her honor during the evening vigil.

Before the new restriction, women in Poland could only have abortions in three cases: if the pregnancy resulted from a crime such as rape; if a woman's life is at risk; or in the case of severe foetal deformities. But the Constitutional Tribunal, influenced by Poland's conservative ruling party, ruled last year that abortions due to birth defects were not constitutional.

The hospital where the woman died released a statement on November 2, 2021, saying they had "united in pain" with her loved ones and others mourning her and insisted her staff had done everything to save her and the fetus. The family lawyer said the woman was survived by her husband and daughter.

The only factor determining the medical procedure was concern for the health and life of the patient and fetus. Doctors and midwives did everything in their power, they fought a difficult battle for the patient and her child, - said the district hospital in Pshchina in southern Poland.

The hospital added that prosecutors were investigating the case but said that "all medical decisions were made taking into account the legal provisions and standards of conduct in force in Poland."

There are medical errors... and unfortunately, women sometimes still die in childbirth, "Susky said on state television. "We do not wish this on anyone, but it certainly has nothing to do with any decision of the tribunal."[13]

Texas abortion ban

On September 1, 2021, a law came into force in Texas, according to which a ban on abortions for a period of six weeks or more was introduced. Also, the law authorizes citizens to file lawsuits against those who perform abortions, or those who contribute to the procedure, this may even be a person who brings a pregnant woman to the clinic in his car. People convicted of violating the law will have to pay $10,000 to those who successfully file such a lawsuit in the form of remuneration.

Patients will have to travel out of state in the midst of a pandemic to receive constitutionally guaranteed health care. And many will not have the means to do so. It's cruel, unconscionable and illegal, "said Nancy Northup, president and executive director of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Texas bans abortion

The scheme to force citizens to enforce the law also complicates its challenge to the court and the Supreme Court decision made so far against clinics is likely to promote copycat bills in other American states.

Groups challenging the Texas law, including Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, intend to continue fighting the law, though they warn that millions of Texas women will lose access to abortion procedure in the case.

Politicians should set aside partisan divisions for the common good, but Abbott has led Texas politicians down the extreme path for his personal gain, said Carisa Lopez, policy director of the Texas Freedom Network.

Addressing pregnant women in Texas and beyond, Carisa Lopez tweeted that they have a network of abortion foundations and support networks that will do everything they can to help get the information and help they need.

The court's decision not to take action on an emergency motion by Texas abortion clinics comes as judges prepare for a broader overhaul of abortion rights established nearly 50 years ago. In May 2021, the judges agreed to consider a ban on the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy, arguments are expected to be presented by the end of 2021, and a decision will be made in 2022.^[14]

39% reduction in abortions since 2016

On March 30, 2021, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova announced that the number of abortions in Russia since 2016 has decreased by 39%.

These are serious figures, "she said at the Council on Guardianship in the Social Sphere under the Government of the Russian Federation, adding that the prerequisites for a further decrease in this indicator are noticeable.

In March 2021, MP Inga Yumasheva proposed a number of measures to reduce the number of abortions. In particular, she believes that it is necessary to allow abortions only in public hospitals, and for minors - only with the permission of parents. The deputy believes that in private clinics, abortions are often carried out on the day of appeal, while it is necessary to give the woman a "week of silence." According to Yumasheva, the corresponding measure can "significantly improve both abortion statistics and understanding the reasons why a woman takes such a step," and also reduce the number of criminal abortions.

The number of abortions in Russia has decreased by 39% since 2016

State Duma deputy Oksana Pushkina believes that these proposals could lead to disaster, since the proposal to restrict women's rights to terminate pregnancy could lead to a sharp increase in the number of clandestine abortions. At the same time, she noted that she does not encourage abortions and considers them "one of the markers of social disadvantage."

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in 2021 announced the need to support women who refused abortion.

As you and I perfectly understand and are aware of this, just persuading a woman not to have an abortion is, of course, important, but more importantly, it is necessary to create conditions to help a woman and family raise a child, put on their feet, "the head of state explained.

By March 2021, the Ministry of Health prepared a draft order listing medical indications for abortion. At the same time, the document provides for a reduction in the list of diseases and pathologies in which there are indications for abortion. Including a number of pathologies of the fetus will be removed. The issue of preserving or terminating pregnancy will be decided individually by a consultation of doctors with the participation of an infectious disease specialist, obstetrician-gynecologist, neonatologist and other specialists.^[15]

Ban on abortions due to fetal pathology in Poland

At the end of January 2021, a ban on abortions due to fetal pathology that does not threaten the life and health of the mother came into force in Poland. The near-total ban on abortion has set the stage for a clash between the protest movement and the country's ruling coalition.

Although the ruling was issued by Poland's Constitutional Court in October 2020 and was due to take effect immediately, the ban was delayed by three months due to the scale of the protests that followed, with more than 400,000 people taking to the streets across the country. However, the Polish government still published a court decision in the Official Gazette, arguing that "a person since conception has the right to life," guaranteed by the constitution.

Poland bans abortions due to fetal pathology

Ultra-conservative elements of Poland's ruling coalition have long sought to tighten abortion laws, though polls show Polish society as a whole supports the move minimally. Now officially abortion in Poland can be done only in the event of a threat to the life and health of the mother, with a high probability of severe and irreversible damage to the fetus or an incurable disease dangerous to the life and health of the mother, as well as if the pregnancy occurred as a result of rape. Abortions due to fetal pathology - Down syndrome, disability or the likelihood of a serious incurable disease - are outlawed. At the same time, Polish lawmakers decided that during discussions of abortion, the words "child" and "mother" should be used, and not "fetus" and "pregnant woman."

After the publication of the decision of the Constitutional Court in the Bulletin of Laws, the Strike Movement of Polish Women organized rallies in Warsaw and other cities of the country. More than a hundred protesters gathered in the capital near the building of the Constitutional Court and blocked a nearby street, people began to burn fires. The police through loudspeakers called on all those gathered to disperse, since due to the pandemic, mass gatherings in the republic are prohibited.^[16]

2020

The number of abortions in Moscow decreased by 26%, to 2606 cases

The number of medical abortions To Moscow in 2020 decreased by 26% compared to 2019 - to 2606 from 3543 cases, respectively. Drug-induced interruptions pregnancies decreased from 392 to 304. Such statistics in September 2021 brought the head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Postgraduate formations Ministry of Health Natalia Podzolkova.

According to her, the number of calls to medical and social care offices regarding reproductive choice has halved - from 6108 in 2019 to 2884. Among the women who applied, they subsequently decided to keep the pregnancy of 340 patients (in 2019 - 986).

The number of abortions in Moscow decreased by 26% at the end of 2020

Natalya Podzolkova explained the decrease in the number of cases of decision-making on termination of pregnancy as a "week of silence," when a woman must be given time to think about the decision before the operation.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Oleg Salagay, in 2020, 450 thousand abortions were carried out in Russia, of which about half were at the request of women. More than 200,000 women who went for abortions underwent pre-abortion counseling, with an estimated 49,000 of them refusing abortions.

In September 2021, the Government of the Russian Federation approved a plan for the implementation of the Concept of Demographic Policy, among the measures of which, among other things, measures are envisaged to increase the proportion of women who refuse abortion. According to the document, it is assumed that women will more often undergo pre-abortion consultations and eventually leave the child.

As a result, it is planned that the proportion of women who have undergone pre-abortion consultations in order to maintain pregnancy will increase to 80% (out of the total number of women who applied to medical institutions to have an abortion). Of these, it is assumed that half will decide to leave the child.^[17]

Ministry of Health: the number of abortions in Russia in 5 years decreased by 30%

On October 27, 2020, Deputy Minister of Health Oleg Salagay said that the number of abortions in Russia over the past five years has decreased by 29.9%. He noted that the department, together with public organizations and religious associations, is working consistently to reduce the number of abortions in the country. The measures taken bring results, the deputy minister said.

Salagai clarified that out of the total number of abortions, the number of those carried out at the request of a woman decreased by 40.8% (part is carried out for medical reasons).

These are large numbers, serious changes, but the number of abortions is still very high, and at the end of 2019 the number of abortions was approximately 523 thousand, "he explained.

The Ministry of Health reported that the number of abortions in Russia in 5 years decreased by 30%

At the end of October Russia Vladimir Putin 2020, following an expanded meeting of the Presidium of the State Council, the President instructed to assess the work of medical organizations to prevent abortion and develop measures to improve it by May 1 of next year.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that statistics on the number of abortions in Russia demonstrate a significant decrease: in 2000, the number of abortions carried out in Russian health care institutions exceeded 2 million. For comparison: according to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 627.1 thousand abortions were registered in 2017.

Abortion in Russia is legal. According to the law, residents of the country can get rid of unwanted pregnancies free of charge under the compulsory health insurance policy (Compulsory Medical Insurance Campus Management). According to the authors of the "Concept of State Family Policy of the Russian Federation until 2025," most abortions (about 30%) are performed by women aged 25 to 29 years.

According to Oleg Salagai, in 2019, about 270 thousand women received an information service in antenatal clinics, of which about 45 thousand refused abortions.^[18]

Popular abortion drugs

In 2020, the first lines are occupied by Postinor and Escapel. Both Gedeon Richter preparations are completely identical in terms of dose and route of administration. In Postinor, 2 pills [are drunk at intervals], in Escapel - one.

Gedeon managed to patent not Escapel himself, but the method of taking it (in one tablet, not two). Teva released a generic called Modelle 911. This was the subject of a legal clash. Two years of ordeal  have not yet ended in anyone's favor. Both drugs are still sold.

Ginepriston stands apart in the market. You can understand: the drug is still more hospital, perceived as "heavy." 

Pharmasintez has filed its own generic mifepristone for registration. The literary title - Unplanning - apparently should dilute the negative around an unpopular remedy.

At least 283.2 million rubles cost Russians savings on condoms. That is how much was spent on abortion medication immediately after unprotected sex. Data for October 2020

The Russian woman was left without a uterus due to an abortion by a midwife without education and sued her 350 thousand rubles

In early October 2020, the Penza Regional Court ruled that a midwife who previously worked in one of the regional hospitals would have to pay 350 thousand rubles in compensation for moral damage to a woman injured in an illegal abortion.

In the case, it was established that in 2018, a midwife of a district health care institution, who did not have a higher medical education of the corresponding profile, performed actions outside of working hours in the premises of this medical institution aimed at terminating the pregnancy of another resident of the district, the press service of the court said.

According to the investigation, the woman agreed with the midwife of the district hospital to terminate the pregnancy for a fee. The midwife carried out the procedure, the patient returned home that evening, and the next day her health deteriorated so much that she had to be hospitalized. The abortion was unsuccessful, and subsequently, due to complications, the patient had to remove the uterus.

Russian woman left without a uterus due to abortion Midwife without education will pay 350 thousand rubles in compensation for moral damage to a woman injured as a result of an illegal abortion

The woman sued the midwife and demanded to recover compensation for moral damage from the health worker. Understanding this case, the court took into account that the woman herself expressed a desire for an illegal abortion, but at the same time refused hospitalization and an emergency procedure to minimize negative consequences.

One way or another, the court ordered the midwife to pay the woman 350 thousand rubles, which the defendant considered overestimated, but failed to achieve a decrease in the amount. The defendant filed an appeal, which was dismissed. The decision entered into legal force in early October 2020.

The victim asked for compensation in the amount of 1.5 million rubles from the hospital. However, the court indicated that the employer is not responsible for the actions of his employee after hours.^[19]

Imprisonment of Euroclinik employees in Moscow for illegal abortions

On September 21, 2020, the Tverskoy Court of Moscow found Natalya Stolbovskaya and Jamalutdin Idemirova guilty of providing services that do not meet safety requirements and illegally conducting the procedure for terminating pregnancy. They were sentenced to 4.5 and 3.5 years in prison, respectively. They were taken into custody in the courtroom. Read more here.

Ulyanovsk clinic fined for poor-quality vacuum abortion, because of which the girl will not be able to get pregnant

In early September 2020, the Zavolzhsky District Court of Ulyanovsk fined the local clinic Medical ozone"" for a poorly performed vacuum abortion, due to which a 31-year-old patient will no longer be able to have children. here More.

Thousands of embryos found in garage of owner of abortion clinics

In mid-February 2020, Indiana carried out a mass burial of more than 2,400 remains of embryos found in 2019 in the garage of an Illinois doctor who performed abortions.

Dr. Ulrich Klopfer operated three abortion clinics in South Bend, Ind., until his license was suspended in 2015. He died on September 3, 2019. Sorting out his belongings after his death, Klopfer's family discovered the remains of hundreds of embryos. Investigators subsequently found 2,246 embryos in Klopfer's garage and several more in the trunk of his car. All remains were transferred to the district attorney's office, and the Indiana attorney general visited a cemetery in South Bend where a mass burial of the recovered remains took place.

Mass burial of more than 2,400 embryo remains carried out in Indiana

Today we are finally memorialising the 2,411 unborn children whose remains were pointlessly hidden by Dr Ulrich Klopfer after performing abortions. These kids deserve better than a cold, dark garage or car boot.

The remains were found in small, sealed plastic bags that contained a chemical used to preserve biological material. The bags lay in boxes that were mixed with other, regular boxes. Investigators concluded the embryos had been stored in a garage for nearly two decades. Most likely, Dr. Klopfer demolished them here after abortions, which he performed from 2000 to 2003.

Investigators also brought up old medical records at Klopfer abortion clinics in Indiana. Klopfer did not follow Indiana law regarding the disposal of fetal remains and filing proper paperwork, they said. However, there is no evidence that Dr. Klopfer performed any medical procedures on the remains.^[20]

2019: Abortion is banned in the US. Doctors who violate the ban will be imprisoned for 100 years

On May 14, 2019, the Alabama State Senate passed a bill banning nearly all abortions. Exceptions apply only to cases where women's health is at risk.

The strictest abortion USA bill in will take effect six months after it is signed by the governor. Before then, however, he will surely have to face a slew of lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups that protect human rights.

The Alabama State Senate passed a bill banning nearly all abortions. Exceptions apply only to cases where women's health is at risk

Legislation to restrict abortion in 2019 was introduced in 16 states, in four of which governors signed bills banning abortion if a germ heartbeat is detected. Alabama's bill went even further - banning absolutely any abortion, including in women who are victims of rape. Doctors who violate the ban will be considered to have committed a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of 10 to 99 years. Women who have abortions will not be prosecuted.

Supporters of the ban in Alabama have said the right to life of an unborn child should be above the mother's freedoms. Their opponents call the "heartbeat" legislation a virtual ban because the embryo's cardiac activity can be detected as early as the first six weeks of pregnancy - before the woman herself knows about it.

The group Doctors for Reproductive Health said a near total ban on abortion would be disastrous for health care. Probably, doctors will not want to help patients, even if the continuation of pregnancy will threaten the health of the mother, so as not to appear in court. The National Organization of Women condemned the ban as contrary to the US Constitution, calling it an attempt to gain political support in the upcoming elections at the expense of women's health and independence.^[21]

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