2024-03-26 19:54:00
The Namur CHR has just set up a multidisciplinary service to welcome women who wish to terminate their pregnancies. There are 17,000 of them each year in Belgium. A subject that is still taboo today. There are few doctors capable of terminating a pregnancy. And these women sometimes have difficulty finding the support necessary to face this ordeal.
Laura, an assumed first name, agrees to testify after her abortion. The 25-year-old young woman, in a relationship, was taking the contraceptive pill but she became ill. A few weeks later, she realizes that she is pregnant. “I have a good situation, I work and I have been in a relationship for a while. I have my place. When it’s not prepared for a child, I think it’s not the best thing. I’d rather regret having made that choice than regret when he’s here.” confides the young woman.
Every year, 300 women undergo a voluntary termination of pregnancy in this hospital. In 10 to 15% of cases, suction curettage is necessary because the pregnancy is too advanced.
A difficult choice for these women who often feel guilty. Frequently, it is the constraints of life that lead them to this choice. “They say they are not ready because they have no housing, because no one can take care of their children. They are independent or they have just started a new job.”lists Sarah Melika, a general practitioner who takes care of voluntary terminations of pregnancy.
In the province of Namur, the Sambre et Meuse Regional Hospital Center is the only hospital to care for women who wish to have an abortion. However, the demand is there and family planning is not enough.
Since January, a whole service has been created here, with a psychology assistant, nurses and doctors. “Granting a space to speak where she can feel free to make a choice, without feeling judged, is very important in this process for me.”underlines Irada Ismailova, psychology assistant.
A room is also set up for medical abortions which usually take place at home. “Students who share accommodation, people who live in their car and then there are also women who are very stressed by possible pain, blood loss or who have already had difficulties during previous pregnancies. They tell themselves that here they will have stronger and closer monitoring.” explains Doctor Sarah Melika.
She has been fighting for 16 years to provide a framework of trust to all women who wish to have an abortion. According to Sarah Melika, there is a lack of places like this but also of doctors capable of carrying out pregnancy terminations. “It is not part of traditional medical training. It is therefore necessary to train in addition. There is the ULB which offers this training which extends over three years. It still requires a lot of commitment.”underlines the doctor.
Every year in Belgium, around 17,000 women decide to have an abortion. In France, the right to voluntary termination of pregnancy has just been enshrined in the constitution. For us, the road still seems long.
IVG health hospital
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