‘Incorrect to Call It Abortion’: Medical Fraternity Divided on SC’s Rejection of Plea to End 26-Week Pregnancy

On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed the request of a married woman to terminate her pregnancy which had progressed beyond 26 weeks. C-Section is avoided.” “For instance,” she said citing examples from other countries, “such drugs are injected but only in cases where the foetus has a proven anomaly such as Down Syndrome or the mother’s life is at critical risk.” While Sengupta appreciated the SC’s decision, she also expressed concern for the would-be mother. “Psychosis is a major mental illness,” she said, adding that “forcing such a patient to carry a pregnancy to term against her will is neglecting the well-being of a fully grown adult woman, for the sake of saving the life of a 26-week foetus who has yet to experience any life and would have 90 per cent mortality if born at this gestational age.” She highlighted that “the court should take into view the provision in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act that if the pregnancy were to cause serious psychological harm to the mother, it can be made to undergo a medical termination.” “Every case is unique, and the sanctity of foetal life at 26 weeks should not overpower the sanctity of life of a woman suffering through a major psychiatric illness.” Experts Backing SC Decision According to Dr Ruby Sehra, senior consultant, gynaecology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, the court’s decision to reject the plea is “worth applauding”. Dr Sumit Ray, medical director at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi, said, “My viewpoint is always in support of the mother’s health, both physical and psychological, and it is for women to decide what is right for their health and they should be the ones to have control over their bodies.” What Does the AIIMS Report Say? “The continuation of pregnancy to full term while the woman is on the revised medications is not likely to significantly increase the risk of adverse outcomes for the mother and foetus as compared to other pregnant woman.” On a psychiatric assessment, the board said: “She has a past history of postpartum psychosis, currently controlled on medications.