theIndusParent Logo
theIndusParent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Fertility & Conception
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • Labour & Delivery
    • Post-delivery Care
    • Miscarriage
    • 9 Months
  • Baby
    • Development
    • Breastfeeding
    • Weaning
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Gear & Wear
    • Baby Names
    • Nine Months-0 to 1
  • Toddler
    • Development
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Life Skills
    • Trendy Wear
    • 9 Months Season 3: Toddler Years
  • Pre-teen
    • Development
    • Health
    • Education
    • Behaviour
    • Lifeskills
    • Fashion
  • Mums
    • Awesome Working Mums
    • Celeb Mums
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Sex
    • Labour Story
  • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Home Remedies
    • Chakra Healing
    • Experts' Corner
  • Family & Leisure
    • Relationships
    • For Dads
    • Essential Life Tips
    • Money
    • Recipes
    • Celebrations
    • Travel
    • Vastu
    • Astrology
    • Baby Photos
    • Video
    • Events & Workshops
    • Review
    • Contest
  • हिंदी
  • தமிழ்
  • বাংলা
  • Video

SC allows 26-week pregnant Kolkata woman to abort "abnormal" foetus

3 Jul, 2017
SC allows 26-week pregnant Kolkata woman to abort "abnormal" foetusSC allows 26-week pregnant Kolkata woman to abort "abnormal" foetus

"A woman has a sacrosanct right to her bodily integrity."

"A woman has a sacrosanct right to her bodily integrity," was a historic statement made by Justice Dipak Misra and M Khanwilkar as they allowed a 26-week pregnant woman from Kolkata, Sharmishta Chakraborty, to undergo an abortion due to an "abnormal" foetus.

“Keeping in view the report of the medical board, we are inclined to allow the prayer and direct medical termination of pregnancy of petitioner no. 1 (woman),” the bench said.

The bench further stated that the termination should be carried out ‘forthwith’ at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.

SC allows 26-week pregnant Kolkata woman to abort abnormal foetus

The case into the limelight when on June 23 the apex court had ordered an inquiry into the matter after the woman and her husband approached the SC and filed a petition to undergo an abortion.

  • Sharmishta, in her petition, had claimed that her foetus had severe complications and may die if allowed to be born.
  • She also presented a medical report by paediatric pulmonologist, Dr. Devi Shetty, which stated that the foetus was suffering from a severe form of cardiac impairment called pulmonary atresia.
  • Moreover, the doctors noted that the baby's birth, if allowed, would put the mother's life in danger.
  • The medical board from SSKM hospital also said that the baby would not survive for a long time, even if he survived.

After going through the report on June 23, Justice Chandrachud said, "In situations like these, you have to look at the quality of life for the mother too. Look at the plight of the mother who lives in a constant fear that her child will be brain dead even after a corrective surgery."

In her petition, Sharmishta also mentioned that out of 26 million births in India every year, approximately 2-3 percent of the foetuses have a severe congenital or chromosomal abnormality. Most of these abnormalities can only be detected after 20 weeks, she added.

Precautions after an abortion

While we agree with the Supreme Court's decision, an abortion at 26-weeks can indeed have a profound impact on the physical and mental health of the woman. This it is important to take care after a woman terminates her pregnancy. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  1. Bleeding might last for one to three weeks after the abortion and it can be heavy, moderate or light depending on your overall physical health. However, very heavy bleeding must always be reported to your doctor.
  2. Menstrual-like cramps are quite normal after an abortion, but if you're experiencing heavy abdominal cramps with severe pain, show it your doctor.
  3. You will get your normal period three to six weeks after an abortion, failing which it is recommended to consult a gynaecologist.
  4. Heavy exercises should be avoided three to four weeks after an abortion.

Read: Conceive after abortion: Dos and don'ts 

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the article, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ and Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest from theIndusparent.com

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Avantika Kukreti

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • SC allows 26-week pregnant Kolkata woman to abort "abnormal" foetus
Share:
  • My Newborn Baby Brother Drank My Breast Milk First & I Couldn't Be Happier

    My Newborn Baby Brother Drank My Breast Milk First & I Couldn't Be Happier

  • COVID-19: Critically-ill Bangladeshi Worker's Wife Gives Birth, Man Still Warded In Isolation

    COVID-19: Critically-ill Bangladeshi Worker's Wife Gives Birth, Man Still Warded In Isolation

  • Dad's Sore Throat Puts Him In A Coma, Needs Multiple Amputations To Survive

    Dad's Sore Throat Puts Him In A Coma, Needs Multiple Amputations To Survive

app info
get app banner
  • My Newborn Baby Brother Drank My Breast Milk First & I Couldn't Be Happier

    My Newborn Baby Brother Drank My Breast Milk First & I Couldn't Be Happier

  • COVID-19: Critically-ill Bangladeshi Worker's Wife Gives Birth, Man Still Warded In Isolation

    COVID-19: Critically-ill Bangladeshi Worker's Wife Gives Birth, Man Still Warded In Isolation

  • Dad's Sore Throat Puts Him In A Coma, Needs Multiple Amputations To Survive

    Dad's Sore Throat Puts Him In A Coma, Needs Multiple Amputations To Survive

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Ages + Stages
    • Baby
    • Baby Concerns
    • Baby Development
    • Baby Formula Feeding
    • Baby health
    • Baby Milestones
    • Breastfeeding
  • Family Life
    • Family & Leisure
    • Essential Tips
    • Family Fun
    • Events
    • For Dads
    • For Mum and Dad
  • Health & Wellness
    • India
    • International
    • Lifestyle
    • Kid's Entertainment
    • Indoor
    • Learning Activities
  • Toddler
    • Toddler Behaviour
    • Toddler Development
    • Toddler Discipline
    • Toddler Education
    • Toddler Health
    • Toddler Life Skills
  • Gallery
    • News
    • Celebrity
    • Features
    • Bollywood
    • Video
    • Marriage
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it