An American tourist has to fear for her life after serious complications during her pregnancy due to the strict abortion ban in Malta. Andrea Prudente and her partner Jay Weeldreyer were on holiday on the Mediterranean island when she was hospitalized at 16 weeks pregnant with heavy bleeding, Weeldreyer told AFP news agency on Wednesday.
There, doctors discovered that Prudente’s placenta had partially detached from the uterus. Shortly after, her waters ruptured, and an ultrasound revealed “the baby won’t survive,” Weeldreyer said. But because the baby’s heart was still beating, the law did not allow doctors to perform an abortion.
“She’s Terrified”
“They’re waiting for the heartbeat to stop, Andrea to miscarry or get a life-threatening infection,” Weeldreyer said. Only then should the doctors intervene. However, the American tourist fears that his partner would not survive a sepsis. Doctors were gambling with his partner’s life, he said. “She’s terrified.”
The couple’s insurance company tried to fly them to a country with more liberal abortion laws. However, because of the risk of miscarriage and potential complications, no one is willing to take her, Weeldreyer said.
“No chance of survival”
The organization Doctors for Choice confirmed the case. The fetus has “no chance of survival,” said doctor Natalie Psaila of the AFP news agency. For the mother, however, the situation is “very dangerous”.
The predominantly Catholic Malta is the only country in the EU to completely ban abortion, even though the fetus has no chance of survival.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
