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Stories behind the statistics: A review of abortion‐related deaths from 2005 to 2007 in Mexico City
Author(s) -
van Dijk Marieke G.,
Ahued Ortega Armando,
Contreras Xipatl,
García Sandra G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/s0020-7292(12)60005-8
Subject(s) - medicine , abortion , unsafe abortion , public health , pregnancy , health care , obstetrics , medical abortion , family medicine , qualitative research , family planning , environmental health , medical emergency , misoprostol , population , research methodology , nursing , law , sociology , political science , biology , social science , genetics
Evidence suggests that restricting abortion does not reduce its occurrence but increases health risk. A qualitative analysis was performed, reviewing the medical charts of 12 women who died from unsafe induced abortions in Mexico City; most deaths occurred before abortion was decriminalized. Women resorted to using unsafe techniques, without medical guidance or under incorrect recommendations by providers, ultimately resulting in the loss of their lives. Postabortion care in private and public health facilities was often inadequate. The cases illustrate the importance of liberalizing abortion laws and improving postabortion care to protect the life and health of women seeking to terminate pregnancy.