Increased Demand for Abortion Due to COVID-19

The dreadful situation of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic has created a surge in demand for abortion in Singapore and all over the world. Healthcare centers that have remained open amidst the pandemic have reported an increase in the number of patients seeking abortion services. Reasons for undergoing the procedure vary, with majority citing economic and health concerns.

One of COVID-19’s major repercussions is the increased number of unwanted pregnancies, which have led many women, now more than ever, to consider abortion as an essential service. Being pregnant requires several trips to the obstetrician, which, due to the current unsafe hospital environment, may increase the risk of being exposed to the virus. The fear of catching COVID-19 and passing it to loved ones (even to newborns) have prompted women to opt for voluntary pregnancy termination or an elective Caesarian operation.

Per the Termination of Pregnancy Act, abortion in Singapore is legal and accessible to anyone regardless of the reason, but under certain regulations. However, the abortion procedure—whether medical or surgical—can only be conducted by a qualified specialist in a Ministry-of-Health-accredited clinic or hospital.

In the US, however, politicians in certain states are restricting women’s access to abortion services, claiming that the procedure is non-essential. In their stand, such procedures should be postponed during this pandemic, unless the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life.

This order has gained criticisms and legal challenges from various human rights groups and national medical organizations. According to them, some of the points go against women’s reproductive health and their right to choose to give birth or not. While a few organizations managed to stop some of the orders temporarily, other states remain unchallenged.

Due to the abortion ban in some areas, many appointments for pregnancy termination have been cancelled, even those that were scheduled on the day that the abortion ban took place. Some women have even taken to driving to other states that still allow safe surgical abortions. Others have been pushed to do the procedure at home. A report from a website that observes traffic data for abortion pills show a drastic increase in sales. Additionally, an article on how to induce an abortion recorded high viewership.

Across the world, abortion through telemedicine is heightened. This channel allows the patient to communicate with her health provider through phone calls or video calls. Necessary medications are also mailed to the patients. This method is great to practice social distancing and stay-at-home orders. People are demanding that they expand this technique to provide medical assistance to women amidst the crisis.

How Does COVID-19 affect pregnant women? Pregnant women are considered to be at a moderate risk for developing infections for the reason that pregnancy can affect a woman’s immunity, making her more susceptible to infections. However, in terms of the relationship between COVID-19 and an increased risk in having a miscarriage or developing fetal malformations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported no link. There is also insufficient medical evidence that pregnant women who are diagnosed with COVID-19 have a higher risk for other complications like preterm birth.

Additionally, studies have shown that for pregnant women with COVID-19 (usually diagnosed during the 3rd trimester) who have given birth, the virus was not found in the mother’s breast milk, the amniotic fluid or the baby’s throat. One study conducted in 38 pregnant women with COVID-19 also reported that none of the newborns were positive for the infection.

Per these studies, the chances of vertical transmission are very rare. However, upon birth, an infant can easily contract COVID-19 because his or her immunity system and airways have not fully developed.