During my three-day duty at the OB-GYNE outpatient department, I was overwhelmed by the number of abortion cases. We had an average of five cases a day. At least one-third of these mothers had induced abortion, which means that they resorted to mechanical or chemical means to terminate their pregnancy. Usually they seek for consult because of fever and chills, and other associated symptoms of septic abortion.
Our city is just a small portion of the Philippines, yet there are already numerous induced abortion cases encountered. It made me think (or not like to think) of the rampancy of the case nationwide. Prolife.org say that every year, as many as 750,000 women undergo induced abortion in illegal “clinics” all over the Philippines. That’s how prevalent induced abortion is. It’s quite a frustrating number.
I asked one mother what was her reason why she opted for abortion and she immediately replied poverty. Is it an enough excuse for terminating a life? It’s practicality, some says. If they were practical, they should have avoided the pregnancy through contraceptives beforehand. I understand that the Catholic church oppose for artificial contraception, but I think they won’t agree more of the abortion. It was also frustrating to see that while I was interviewing some of the mothers, I couldn’t see even a streak of guilt from their faces. Had they lose their consciences?
Prolife.org also suggests other reasons:
For those who are married: to space pregnancies; too many children; added financial burden.
For the unmarried: unwanted pregnancies.
Many have an abortion because the latter “interferes with occupation, studies, or employment.”
The men do play a role in childbearing. Some reasons given by women had to do with their menfolk: some women are now separated from their husbands, others had a quarrel with the husband; husband has no job; husband is irresponsible; common-law husband has other family. Poor health was also cited (although there were no medical indications).
Over half of the women who had induced abortion are married, showing that abortion is used to regulate or limit the number of children.
In a strong Christian nation like the Philippines where abortion is considered illegal and immoral, I also see it as a reason why mothers opt to seek the help of illegal abortion clinics. I am not suggesting that abortion be legalized in the Philippines, so this can be prevented. There are other ways it could be successfully eliminated. Perhaps a strong implementation of family planning and good education of these women about family planning could be a good preventive way. The media, such as television and prints, could be utilized through ad campaigns since everybody has access to them.
Tags: Education, Health, Medicine, Politics, Social Issues
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Jan 31, 2007 at 22:08:54
I saw your post on pinoyblog. I have my own “experience” with women having unwanted pregnancy. I wrote something on one woman who, inspite of the fact that she’s educated and “modern” she still made a lot of stupid mistakes. I’m now thinking the Catholic/Christian church(es) maybe responsible for imbibing in us that abortion is bad or wrong but in this day and age we all can make better decisions. We have the knowledge, we are supposed to be enlightened, we have choices, yet we still choose to do the wrong thing. Oops… I’m getting carried away. Hehehe.
Jan 31, 2007 at 23:22:13
In my medical practice, I’ve seen a lot of “educated” and well-to-do women still inducing abortion. Would you believe I had a patient who’s a medical student and still had induced abortion? One would think that she knows better. But still it’s a problem for many and there are a lot of factors to consider. This country has been overly religious, that they don’t know the difference anymore between religion and spirituality. No, I’m not for pro-abortion. What I would rather have is a complete awareness of reproductive health. Religion doesn’t have to interfere with it. And people are just so damn stubborn, really. Have you notice that with your patients? It’s hard to educate patients when they themselves do not want to learn. It’s sad, really.
Feb 1, 2007 at 08:28:14
Sad really, people had to resort to these procedures. We cannot always bank on Christian morality, not all are Christians and even if so, moral standards are not universal.
I pray that people would really undertake that procedure with the best intentions in mind. Not just for the heck of something else.
Feb 1, 2007 at 11:42:32
meron incident dito sa ofc nakitaan ng fetus yung isa sa mga toilet, some says it once case of abortion, other says its accident. kaso iniwan ng nanay na nandun lang.
Feb 1, 2007 at 23:53:43
nag de deteriorate na siguro talaga ng morality ng tao di lang dito sa pinas, pero nakakalungkot na tumataas na nga ang bilang ng abortion dito sa atin. unang una dapat kasi di sila mabuntis kung ayaw nila para walang abortion.
Feb 2, 2007 at 09:20:59
i. am. so. sad.
Feb 16, 2007 at 11:42:04
putang ina, nabuntis ko gf ko. ndi p kmi ready for a baby. need help. meron b kau alam n clinic kng san pwede p abort??? killerako83@yahoo.com
Apr 26, 2007 at 09:49:17
Hello Everyone! It is realy true that many of our young women nowadays doing this abortion thing that they think it’s a big problem..In an instance The government should be aware of this unnecessary movement by the people.. They should find a way to solve this increasing abortion problem.. Life is a gift… God gave this because he want us to live happily.. People should know what are they doing! Bata yan na kailangan mung buhayin at alagaan.
Jul 26, 2007 at 10:54:19
umm i just found out my gf is pregnant… todo research ginagawa ko ngayon… we want to abort the baby but we dont know wer to go.. may nahanap ako gamot mifepristone para ma abort pero di ko alam san bumili… i want to do it not only 4 me but for her.. gusto ko pinaka safe for her i dont want to put her in harm pls help me aop123baby@gmail.com
Jul 27, 2007 at 18:35:47
I think you have to re-think of it over and over again before you make a drastic move such as aborting the baby.
I am sure there are other ways to solve your problems other than it.
Inducing termination of the pregnancy may also put risk to your girlfriend. I had several encounters with such cases.
Sep 15, 2007 at 16:05:48
umm i just found out my gf is pregnant… todo research ginagawa ko ngayon… we want to abort the baby but we dont know wer to go.. may nahanap ako gamot mifepristone para ma abort pero di ko alam san bumili… i want to do it not only 4 me but for her.. gusto ko pinaka safe for her i dont want to put her in harm pls help me.. one month p ln sya.. pla email me at iloilo.ph@hotmail.com
Jan 17, 2008 at 14:29:30
I think my gf is pregnant, probably less than 29 days… please email me of an option that’s has less harmful implications. Please email me at ashamedidiot@mailinator.com I badly need some advice and possibly some sense. You could still knock some sense into me, either way, you’ll be saving a life.
Big thanks to all who can send their thoughts and suggestions.
Apr 14, 2008 at 10:55:27
Ahm…. can you plz help me!! i’m luking for a clinic of hospital or if you know someone who does abortion.. i need it… if i can do it this week that would be great! here’s my ead shekbless@hotmail.com..
OR IF YOU CAN GIVE ME A PHONE NUMBER… just manila area plz… i live near Shaw boulevard