Elective abortion remains illegal in Nigeria. This is one of the several stories that touch
While the law is clear, clinical practice pitches healthcare providers as the enemy. This is one of such cases.
I’m so scared, how is it going to be. Am I going to bleed? The pharmacist said it will involve bleeding. That’s why he sent me here. I don’t know what to do.
AT is a 19-year old female who is pregnant with a 6-month old baby. She was referred to a private hospital by a pharmacist when she went to ask for abortion pills. That same morning, she bought a pregnancy test strip over the counter with which she confirmed she was pregnant. She became suspicious following a brief illness with symptoms that she assumed mimicked those of pregnancy.
Few months earlier, she delivered a baby girl which she is still breastfeeding. She affirmatively stated that she does not want a new baby and she has her husband’s approval to abort the rapidly growing fetus.
But as genuine as her argument seemed to her, the doctor could not help.
“Madam relax, I’ve told you the best we can do it to open antenatal card for you, we don’t do abortion because it’s illegal,” the doctor responded.
Mrs AT is not the only Nigerian woman in this situation which has become a plight for many since abortion is illegal except there’s complication of unsafe abortion and the life of the woman is already in danger.
“But why wait till there is danger when the life can be safe in the hand of professionals?” abortion supporters often argue.
This is the question that keeps arising whenever there’s a case of septic abortion in the health facility.
This is commonest among women of child-bearing age, single and married.
When in dilemma, they approach roadside drug sellers, auxiliary nurses or community birth attendants for help.
The commonest solution is to administer medications and watch them bleed, sometimes to death, from retained product of conception or carry out evacuation with contaminated instruments, thereby infecting them with HIV or mild infection that will escalate later.
Mrs. A. T. is assuming she is covered by breastfeeding since she had not been menstruating since she delivered her last baby.
But it has been well documented that lactation amenorrhea is not dependable in several cases as bodies differ from one person to another.
Also in cases where breastfeeding was not exclusive, another method of family planning should be employed.
Unlike other women that unknowingly put their lives in danger, Mrs. A. T. wanted the best healthcare which was why she presented at the nearest pharmacy to procure the medication for abortion. But unfortunately, it is against the law of the land.
While in some countries, women can easily access abortion pills, Nigerian women are still being forced by the law to carry their pregnancy whenever it comes inasmuch as there is no health-related risks to the mother irrespective of her choice or other factors they are considering.
Many argue that this is not good enough.