JUDGEMENT DELAY COSTLY FOR VICTIMS

Doctors claim that the stigma surrounding abortion in our country often leads to pregnant women resorting to quacks and home methods of abortion which is harmful to the mother's health.

Gynaecologist Dr Rooma Sinha says, “Often pregnant women are denied abortion due to religious customs that dictate against abortion. Abortion towards the last trimester is just like prolonged labour so it should be advised to have the procedure done as early as possible.”

In cases of young mothers, an abortion harms their health.

Dr Sasikala Kola says that information such as whether the mother is anaemic, underweight, and her age, should be taken into consideration when taking a call on abortion.

“Many families are afraid of the backlash, and in the case of rape victims, they don’t speak out for fear of threats from the perpetrators. This leads to the delay in getting an abortion and our law does not then allow it.”

She says families should be aware of their girl children and keep a watch on them. Letting a pregnancy go beyond the stipulated ‘safe period’ could lead to complications if the abortion is not performed by recognised doctors.

Dr Vimee Bhindra says going to court cost the rape victim four weeks, which is huge in terms of pregnancy. The judgement process in such cases should be faster, say, three to four days.

Gynaecologists see septic abortions and noninstitutional deliveries on a daily basis.

“We see a lot of cases where the family tries to hush up an unwanted pregnancy by going to quacks. Some use washing sticks to clear their uterus, leading to bowel perpetuation. There is no regulatory body to keep a check on who is performing abortions,” says Dr Sasikala.