You may have heard about the most recent news from the United States. On 24 June, the US Supreme Court ruled that abortion was no longer a constitutional right. It left the decision up to each state. While it doesn’t make abortion illegal in that country, it means that each state decides what to do within its jurisdiction and the more conservative ones are already veering towards outlawing the practice.
Roe V Wade, a 1973 landmark case that established women’s constitutional right to abortion, was overturned by the Supreme Court. It was legalized across the country and was a landmark 1973 case. It is seen as a victory by religious and political conservatives who want to see abortion restricted or banned. The decision was condemned by various world leaders, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, saying it was a loss for women everywhere and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark calling it “a huge setback”.
With the issue of abortion at the forefront of many people’s minds even here in Singapore, it’s a good time to be informed about what the procedure actually involves and what the legalities are in Singapore.
Is abortion legal in Singapore?
Yes. It has been legal in this country since 1970. The Termination of Pregnancy Law, which was enacted in 1974, contains the laws. This law provided for the safe termination of unwanted pregnancies by trained persons in appropriately-equipped facilities. Between 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 there were 4,029 abortions in Singapore.
Abortions in this country are legal up to 24 weeks (6 months) after the termination of a pregnancy. After that, it can only be performed if the mother’s life is in danger. Only a doctor with specialized training in obstetrics/gynaecology can perform this procedure. It must be performed in a hospital or clinic that has been approved for abortions by the Ministry of Health.
Singaporean women who are eligible to have an abortion are:
- A Singapore citizen, or the wife of a Singaporean citizen.
- Someone who holds a work card issued under the Act or who is the spouse of someone who does.
Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. This does not apply to temporary work permits, but only to employees who have an employment pass work permit. - Foreigners who have lived in Singapore for at most four months before the date of the abortion.
- Women who are in extraordinary circumstances, such a when an abortion is required to save their lives, will be considered.
If a pregnant woman doesn’t meet any of these requirements and gets an abortion in Singapore, she can be fined up to $3,000 and/or jailed for up to three years.
The same penalties could also be applied to the doctor who performed the procedure. It is illegal to force pregnant women in Singapore to have an abortion. Any woman who coerces or intimidates another woman to have an abortion can be subject to the same penalty and sentence as those who incited them.
There is no limit to the age at which an abortion can be performed. A minor’s parental consent is not required by law. anyone under 16. Anyone under 16 years old must undergo mandatory counselling before she can have an abortion in Singapore. Counsellors advise women about the consequences and risks of abortions and help them to consider other options.
What is the process for getting an abortion?
The counselling service will be referred to you by your GP or gynaecologist once you have discussed the possibility of having an abortion. Women under 16 years old must be counselled by the Health Promotion Board Counselling Centre. Rape victims are exempted. Women with mental disabilities need to be certified by a psychiatrist that they are unable to continue their pregnancy.
There is also a mandatory cooling-off period. Women must wait at most 48 hours after receiving counselling before consenting to an abortive procedure. After receiving counselling, the procedure must be completed within 48 hours.
Women who have ended their pregnancy must sign a declaration stating their marital status, educational level, and number living children. The Ministry of Health keeps a registry that includes the name of the person, the date and method of termination.
To protect patients’ privacy, medical professionals and institutions are legally required to keep information about the abortion procedure secret. Only a patient who has consented to the disclosure of details of the abortion procedure can they disclose them. Anybody who violates this confidentiality requirement could be fined upto $2,000 and/or sentenced to a maximum of 12 months in jail. It is considered a case of statutory sexual rape and there is no confidentiality requirement for girls under 14.
Post-abortion counseling is also required. This is usually done the day after the procedure. Some patients may be asked for a second check-up after the procedure. Some doctors may also advise women to stop having sex after the procedure for up to two weeks.
What is the procedure like?
There are two types of abortion procedures – medical and surgical.
Medical abortion
This option is available for pregnancies that are less than 8 weeks old. No surgery or anaesthetic is required. Your doctor gives you an ‘abortion pill’ (Misoprostol) to induce abortion. It opens the neck and causes the uterus to contract. The uterus then bleeds out the pregnancy tissue. It is similar to heavy menstruation. The whole process can last several days or even weeks. Common side effects include nausea, fever, diarrhoeasis, abdominal cramps, and chills. It’s crucial to attend follow-up appointments with your doctor so they can check via ultrasounds that all the pregnancy tissue has been expelled.
Surgical abortion
Vacuum aspiration – medication is used to dilate the cervix and a cannula (thin tube) is passed through it, into the uterus. The vacuum suction is used to extract the pregnancy tissue. Dilation and Curettage (D&C) – an instrument is used to manually dilate the cervix, and the pregnancy tissue is scraped away from the uterus lining using a curette.
Abortions are day-surgery procedures so you’ll be able to able to go home after a short period of observation. You will need to return for follow-up appointments. Surgery abortions can be performed in the first trimester only by a qualified medical professional.
If you have a second-trimester abortion, they are more complicated and you’ll be required to stay in the hospital for a day or two. The higher the chance of complications, the further along a pregnancy is being terminated.
Where can I get an abortion?
Three public hospitals perform abortions.
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH)
- Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
- National University Hospital (NUH).
Private clinics can also perform abortions. These procedures are generally more expensive, but the waiting time is usually shorter.
An abortion in Singapore can cost anywhere from $800 to $5,000. The MediSave Maternity Package allows you to withdraw between $1,500 and $1,650 depending on the complexity.
Source: Her World
