Effective measures have been taken in Russia to reduce the number of induced abortions.
“Among the measures that have been taken to reduce the number of artificial interruptions of pregnancy are the ‘silent week’, consultation of women in a situation of reproductive choice by a psychologist, social work specialist, lawyer,” explained Natalia Dolgushina.
The “week of silence” refers to the rule according to which the gynecologist, to whom a pregnant woman goes for the first appointment, does not have the right to immediately issue her a referral for an abortion; the patient has a week to realize the responsibility of what is happening and make a final decision.
It is also important to properly train doctors; after all, it is with them that the expectant mother comes into contact, and it is the gynecologist who must explain to the woman all the risks and possible consequences of an abortion. For this, educational modules and certain clinical recommendations developed by the Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are provided, noted Natalia Dolgushina.
“Thanks to the measures taken, the number of abortions in Russia is decreasing year by year, both in absolute and relative terms. An important indicator is the increase in the proportion of women who refused to terminate a pregnancy in the number of those who they underwent pre-abortion counselling. In 2022, some 45,000 women refused to terminate their pregnancy,” concluded the chief specialist of the Ministry of Health.
