Calls for the legalization of abortion in Lithuania: a ‘black market’ has already been created, now women do it on their own

According to Daniel, medical abortion has been used in the developed world for more than 30 years. The politician was surprised that in 1988 This procedure was introduced by Western countries, and in Lithuania 32 years have passed since the entire generation of politicians changed, but it was not yet possible to register and regulate this drug.

“This means that although scientific progress around the world makes abortion easier, safer and more private, in Lithuania our women have not had this right until now and have not been able to use this scientific progress. Instead, they could only use surgery to terminate the pregnancy.

This means we have about 6.5 thousand. surgical operations that we were able to avoid. Countries like Finland have 95% cases, they use medication to interrupt the pregnancy, not surgical intervention ”, said the deputy of Seimas.

Ms. Danielle noted that despite the fact that decision makers have so far been unable to regulate the use of these drugs, women themselves have taken the initiative to address the problem.

“Of course, then came the black market. This means that medical abortion is also carried out in Lithuania, but women apply it independently, performing this procedure themselves, without consulting a doctor. Not available through doctors, but through resellers or portals. “

The method is safe and effective.

Esmeralda Kuliešytė, a gynecologist and director of the Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health, said that medical abortion is not really a new method. In the European Union (EU), women have been able to choose it for about thirty years.

“Lithuanian women, although they live in the European Union, cannot choose this method. It is very safe and effective, according to the World Health Organization. What are the benefits? This is a rather private method, since the woman participates in the course of this method and can decide for herself when is the best time to terminate the pregnancy.

The second thing is that it is not a surgical method, it does not need instruments, it does not need surgery, it does not need general anesthesia. Women terminate pregnancy without pain relievers or with only a small amount of these drugs. He is also psychologically closer to women due to his privacy. “

According to E. Kuliešytė, according to research, women are more likely to choose this method during a pandemic, as it allows them to contact doctors less often and not even go to them.

“France and the UK have changed the procedure for medical abortion and made it possible to see a doctor remotely and then receive drugs, buy those drugs at home and experience abortion.

Medically terminated pregnancies are very similar to miscarriages. From a medical point of view, it can be said that it is a method with very few complications. Virtually a woman feels nothing if she terminates the pregnancy before 7-9 weeks of pregnancy. “

He also noted that the Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health has prepared a questionnaire for Lithuanian society “Should medical abortion be legalized in Lithuania?”

“527 people answered the questions, 89 percent. Women and 9 percent. Men. 45 percent of respondents were between 20 and 29 years old, 30 percent. Were between 30 and 39 years old. After answering questions, the majority live in the city: 90 percent Yes, about 84 percent stated that they have a higher education and that medical abortion should be legalized 7% of respondents answered “No”. “Would you choose a medical abortion?” 80 percent answered “Yes.” Of respondents and 16 percent. Didn’t know. “

E. Kuliešytė stated that in the comment section, the women argued that they would choose that abortion method, because it seems simpler, less invasive, psychologically easier, provides more privacy, there is no need to communicate too much with doctors.

“Women have also indicated that they suffer too much while waiting for the method to be legalized. There must be an option for women and some would choose it because they have already tried it and know that this method is more suitable for them. “

At the same time, he added that the Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health had drawn up a petition, signed by 23 organizations and 726 people, addressed to the SAM to legalize the method as soon as possible.

There is excessive interference from state institutions

Lilija Vasiliauskė, director of the Vilnius Center for Specialized Care and Women, emphasized that now there is excessive interference by state institutions in the lives of women. According to her, one of the most painful areas is guaranteeing the right to abortion and the right not to be moralized, indoctrinated, accused of “murder”.

“Recently, we have noticed that they are vulnerable and lack a state-friendly response to this problem. Therefore, regarding the study mentioned by Esmeralda, it is very important to point out why in those comments women say that they would choose abortion with medicines.

We can observe with horror that there is a lack of trust in doctors and almost everywhere there is quite loud talk that we will not have to deal with the propaganda of the uneducated, traumatic, indoctrinated Catholic Church. In principle, we as a society should be deeply concerned and concerned about what is happening in our secular state, especially in the area of ​​women’s rights. “

According to H. Vasiliauskė, the reluctance to contact doctors has two purposes, because it is necessary to communicate with them, because each procedure possibly has some negative consequences.

“Therefore, restoring women’s trust in doctors is one of the most important tasks. Another thing that is also very important is that women, who can make their own decisions and make their own decisions, also need to regain a sense of control over their lives.This means that they are not included in an initially deceptive system.
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If you type “abortion” in an Internet search, it will first be “given” by the Crisis Pregnancy Center, which in principle does not serve the function of promoting informed choice, in general, customer-friendly service. Rather, it further complicates the woman’s choice by moralizing and creating an unnecessary emotional connection to the six-week germ. “

Yes, he assured, women are being cornered and that is why they do not want to confront various institutions.

He explained how medical abortion happens.

Vilnius University Santara Clinic gynecologist doctor dr. Vytautas Klimas emphasized that abortion restrictions do not reduce the need for this procedure. Therefore, each year, he explained, between 60 and 70 thousand people die from the consequences of criminal abortions. women and more than 90 percent. in countries where abortion is prohibited or severely restricted.

“If we want to preserve the health and lives of our women, we must make each pregnancy occur only when it is desired and expected. This requires that the vast majority of women who are intimate but do not want to become pregnant use safe, effective, modern and appropriate contraceptives in an adequate and regular manner.

In cases where women become pregnant unplanned and want to terminate a pregnancy, this should be done quickly, in a timely manner, without hindrance, and with minimal physical and psychological trauma. Medical abortion is a good alternative to surgical abortion, especially now that there is a COVID-19 pandemic. “

According to the doctor, it can be done when there are no more than 70 days from the first day of the last menstrual bleeding.

“For this purpose, a woman should take a 200 mg tablet of mifepristone, which is not yet registered with us. This drug blocks the action of the hormone progesterone on the lining of the uterus, which stops the development of the embryo and separates it. of the uterine wall.

After 24-48 hours. a woman puts 800 mg of misoprostol under the tongue or behind the cheek. It can also be used in the vagina. Misoprostol softens the cervix, opens the cervical canal and causes contractions of the cervical muscle and thus removes the embryo, ”explained V. Klimas about the abortion procedure.

He also noted that abortion usually begins within a few hours and occurs completely within a day or two after misoprostol consumption. According to the doctor, 99.4 percent. in women it occurs like childbirth, and the blood coagulates from a small cherry to a small clot the size of a lemon with the germ of the uterus.

“More bleeding and painful uterine contractions subside in a day or two. After three weeks, we recommend that the woman have a follow-up pregnancy test to make sure she’s really finished. The benefits of medical abortion are obvious: it doesn’t require In a hospital setting, performed at home, it is safer than surgery because it is less traumatic, does not require anesthesia or surgery, and therefore does not pose the possible complications associated with anesthesia and surgery.

The doctor is only needed to evaluate the general state of health, adjust the length of the pregnancy, confirm that the pregnancy is developing in the uterus, write prescriptions, answer the woman’s questions, and here the role of the doctor ends, ”he said.

Margarita Jankauskaitė, representative of the ReGina women’s non-governmental organization network, summarized that the lack of opportunities for medical abortion in Lithuania is not just one example of women’s disregard for the right to quality healthcare. This is precisely the expression of a deeper problem.