Doctors concerned over delays in verdicts about teen pregnancies

Many doctors are concerned about the justice delivery system’s delay in deciding on adolescent rape victims who end up delivering babies.

Recently, the Supreme Court had denied permission for termination of pregnancy of a 10-year-old who was raped by her uncle in Chandigarh.

Many doctors in Bengaluru opined that delayed decisions by courts put adolescents at a risk of having to deliver the baby which adds to their trauma.

Doctors said families of rape victims are scared to reveal the incident due to fear and shame, because of which reporting of these incident gets delayed.

This delays an option for abortion.

According to Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, pregnancy should not exceed 20 weeks before it is terminated.

“By the time court approves abortion, the girl would have reached full pregnancy,” said Dr Vidya Desai, consultant, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru.

She said victims should find it easier to come forward and seek medical intervention. Emotional, physical and social trauma make them hide the incident.

Doctors say that in certain cases, foetal abnormality is detected after 20 weeks, or the victim may report it later. The 20-week limit should be prolonged for greater good, they said.

“Pregnancy before 18 is never safe. The uterus is under-developed. The pelvic bones and spine are not developed enough to carry the weight of a pregnancy without damage.

The cervix and birth canal are narrow, and a vaginal delivery would run a serious risk of obstructed labour, making it a cause of maternal death,” said Dr Manisha Singh, consultant gynaecologist, Fortis Hospital.

“Abortion is anytime a better option than a delivery if it is known earlier,” she added.

Dr Savitha C, professor and head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, said teenage pregnancy is a risk.

If there is a choice, the court should hasten the process so that it does not reach a stage where abortion is impossible.

“Carrying the pregnancy to term and delivering is a complication for the mother. A teenager’s body is not ready for pregnancy, there is a risk of blood pressure. The body does not have enough volume, even a normal loss of blood at that time is risky,” said Dr Anupama Rani, department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Sakra World Hospital.

Doctors says each case is different. A gynaecologist, child psychologist and paediatrician should decide together what is less traumatic as both abortion and delivery are traumatic, said Dr Vidya.

DH News Service