Illegal abortions and the Soviet health service.

Abstract

Extent of the problemThat large numbers of legal abortions take place is well known; indeed the Soviet health service holds an unenviable record for terminating far more pregnancies than it welcomes babies into this world. The balance has been changing for the better, however, from the pronatalist viewpoint; when scattered data are pieced together a substantial improvement can be seen to have occurred in the ratio of live births to terminations ofpregnancy. Two decades ago, according to sample surveys, the ratios were as follows:

“Abortion Culture” in Russia: Its Origins, Scope, and Challenge to Social Development

“…These estimates include illegal abortions typically performed in health threatening conditions. Ryan (1987) estimated that there was probably one illegal abortion for every 2.7 legal terminations. According to Remennick (1991: 847), sexually active women had, at a minimum, between 2 and 3 induced abortions by the end of their reproductive life.…”

Self-induced abortion — the peril is still real

“…Until 1989, Romania, as a result of a policy discouraging birth control, had the highest rate of pregnancy-related deaths in all Europe, 80% of which were caused by illegal abortions. In the Soviet Union, termination of pregnancy had been banned during Stalin's rule in 1936, and legalized again in 1956, to eliminate the great damage caused to womens' health by complications of illegal abortions [2]. However, in spite of the legalization, the rate of illegal abortions remained high, with a ratio of one illegal for every 2.7 legal terminations, with the highest incidence in the age group up to 19 years.…”

“…However, in spite of the legalization, the rate of illegal abortions remained high, with a ratio of one illegal for every 2.7 legal terminations, with the highest incidence in the age group up to 19 years. Of those girls who terminated their first pregnancy illegally, three-quarters did so by themselves [2]. Self-induced abortions were very common in the first half of this century.…”