According to women's rights groups, physicians are increasingly waiting for a fetus with little prospect of life to die in the womb rather than performing abortions, potentially endangering women.
WARSAW, Poland - A pregnant lady in Poland died in a case that has drawn attention to the country's new abortion restrictions.
In her 22nd week of pregnancy, the 30-year-old lady died of septic shock.
According to the family's lawyer, doctors did not conduct an abortion despite the fact that her fetus lacked amniotic fluid.
Reproductive rights groups claim she is the first person to die as a result of Poland's current abortion law restrictions.
Some supporters of the new abortion ban argued there's no guarantee it caused the woman's death and accused women's rights campaigners of taking advantage of the circumstance.
The lady, only named Izabela, died in September, but her death was only just made public, sparking demonstrations in Warsaw, Krakow, and elsewhere.
Prior to the new restrictions, women in Poland may only obtain abortions in one of three circumstances:
● If the pregnancy is the product of a rape.
● If the woman's life was in danger.
● In the case of severe prenatal malformations, for example.
● However, under the influence of Poland's conservative ruling party, the Constitutional Tribunal determined last year that abortions for congenital problems were unconstitutional.
As a result, women’s rights groups say doctors in Poland now wait for a fetus with little chance of life to die in the womb rather than conduct an abortion.
According to her family's lawyer, the woman is survived by her husband and a daughter.
In a written statement, the hospital where the lady died said it "joined in anguish" with her loved ones and everyone mourning her, and that its staff had done all possible to rescue her and the fetus.
"The only reason directing the medical operation was a concern for the patient's and the fetus's health and life," stated a statement from the County Hospital in Pszczyna, in southern Poland. "Doctors and midwives did everything they could to help." They fought a hard fight for the patient and her kid."
According to the hospital, prosecutors are looking into the issue, and "all medical choices were taken taking into respect the legal laws and norms of behavior in place in Poland."
Marek Suski, a senior member of the ruling party, denied the likelihood that the woman died as a result of the court verdict.
"Unfortunately, women still die in childbirth," Suski stated on public television. "We do not wish this on anyone, but it has nothing to do with any tribunal ruling."
