«TWe’re all for rainbows, unicorns and children. Being in favor of abortion is a little more complicated.” She says it herself, with a subtle joke that hits the mark, Laura Formenti: a comedian who has long placed voluntary termination of pregnancy among her themes. Because of his unusually ironic look at abortion (and life), theinternational organization Doctors of the World he hired her for his premiere Italian countryside.The Impossible Pill it is a journey in stages from Sicily to the top of Mont Blanc in search of the abortion pill RU486. A project to be explored in International Day for Safe Abortion (today, 28 September): a right that in Italy is guaranteed by law 194 of 1978 but which often in practice coincides with one obstacle course and against the clock.
International Day for Safe Abortion: but pharmacological IVG is still a mirage
In Italy the RU486 is used only by 31.9% of women (in 2020, and was introduced in 2009). THEIn France, where it has existed since 1988 (32 years before us!), it is used70% of the total. AND the percentage exceeds 90% in Northern Europe. “The majority of women who abort in Italy still do so with surgery,” explains Formenti. «In other words in our country the right is guaranteed, and abortion is free, but to obtain it, you know what?, you have to suffer a lot».
That’s what happened to her too. «It was many years ago. But I know what it means. As happens to many, I met excellent people, fantastic psychologists. But also several conscientious objectors, who hindered me. I remember when, instead of finding assistance, I was locked in a room and invited to try listening to the heartbeat. And I remember the woman lying in bed next to me, in the hospital, before the surgery. She told me: “We women were born to suffer.” I really don’t think that’s the case».
«We women were born to suffer»
You can have an abortion and be a happy woman. The platform is proof of this “IVG I miscarried and I’m fine”. Founded by psychotherapist Federica Di Martinosince 2018 has been collecting women’s stories, with the precise aim of break down social stigma towards those who make this choice. It is clear that the name is provocative, but the provocation contributes to break down a certain catastrophic and accusatory narrative. «One of the most viewed episodes of my podcast (Black Humour) is a chat I had with Federica. Together we tried to dismantle this rhetoric of necessary suffering».
Feminist associations that support women
IVG I miscarried and I’m fine it is just one of the associations that today offer support and guidance to women who decide for abortion. «Well, I advise a woman who makes this choice today to turn to them: to the collettivo feminist Women Booksin Bologna. To the activists of Not one less or the association Maghwebthan with the campaign It’s not a poison fights for access to medical abortion. It is useful for not feeling alone but also for recovering practical information and not wasting time.”
The obstacle race against time for the right to have an abortion
Yes, time. In the case of an abortion, obtaining one is often a race against time. In our country, it is in fact possible to use it within the first 90 days of conception with surgical method. Medical abortion is possible up to at 63 days – equal to 9 weeks completed – gestational age. But the days pass quickly between discovering the pregnancy, processing the decision to end it, and then figuring out how to do it.
In Italy there are large differences, in terms of rules, access and application, between the various Regions. For example, in Sicily, out of 57 obstetrics and gynecology departments, only 31 perform IVG and RU486 is only available in hospitals. THE objecting gynecologists are 81.6%, with peaks of 100% in 26 facilities. TO Catania Pharmacological IVG is not available in any hospital, while in Messina only the Polyclinic administers RU486 and has only been doing so for a few months. Before that, patients had to go to Palermo, over 200 kilometers away. “But I spoke to a Sicilian woman who even thought about going to Tunisia, so as not to waste too much time.”
The differences between the various Regions: from Sicily to Emilia Romagna
Cases of women packing their bags to go for an abortion are not rare. And also from Lombardy and Trentino where appointments for the first pill can take weeks: patients, by law, cannot wait. They arrive in Emilia-Romagna, which from September 2022 allows access toPharmacological IVG in the clinic.
Or in Lazio, lIt is the only Italian region to provide the procedure on an outpatient basis at home, according to international guidelines. THEPiedmont? It’s a strange case. First region by number Pharmacological IVGs have opened in hospitals since October 2020 “information desks” managed by anti-abortion associations. The Region has in fact issued a “circular on pharmacological abortion” which, in addition to having activated the counters, prohibited the administration of RU486 in clinics.
Abortion and female mortality, a suspected correlation
«But I will never forget what the doctor told me in Turin Tullia Todros, former head physician of the gynecology and obstetrics department of the Sant’Anna hospital. In countries where abortion is free, women’s mortality rates are much lower. And, on the contrary, where it is not, women die more. Before the IVG law, the hospital found itself welcoming many women with internal bleeding of dubious origin. Since it was approved, many fewer. Is it enough to prove the need for the liberalization of abortion?”.
Medical abortion in 5 steps: how to have RU486
So, the decision has been made: the gestation began a few weeks ago, the timing is useful for accessing pharmacological pregnancy termination. Here are the steps to take.
STEP 1. Certificate
In the cases provided for by law, the doctor of the clinic, the family doctor or the health facility – therefore not necessarily a gynecologist – issues a certificate. Also signed by the person who wants to have an abortion, it certifies the latter’s will and the state of pregnancy.
If the doctor decides that there are “conditions that make intervention urgent”the document allows the woman to immediately present herself at hospital or affiliated facilities to terminate the pregnancy.
If instead, the urgency is not foundthe certificate invites the person who wants to have an abortion to “surrender for seven days”, period at the end of which you will be able to access the procedure. Days that are considered to reflect on the decision itself. Non-partisan psychologists are available in the counseling centers who can possibly help every woman to further clarify her ideas.
In some regions it is difficult to even get the certificate. At that point you then need to find a facility that carries out IVG and make an appointment. And it is not a given that they will give it right away.
Demonstration in favor of abortion, 2018
STEP 2. Acceptance and first visit
With the certificate, the woman who wants to terminate her pregnancy can contact the hospital or affiliated facility or clinic for acceptance and carry out an initial visit to exclude the presence of contraindications of any kind.
STEP 3. First pill
In the hospital or affiliated facility or clinic, the abortion pill based on mifepristone (RU486) is administered, which causes the cessation of the viability of the embryo.
STEP 4. Second pill
After 36 or 48 hours, in the hospital or affiliated facility or clinic, prostaglandin is administered on a day hospital basis which stimulates uterine contractions to allow the expulsion of the embryonic sac. In the Lazio region, administration is also possible at home.
STEP 5. Check-up visit
After approximately 14 days, a check-up visit is carried out to verify, through ultrasound, the outcome of the pharmacological abortion
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