One step forward… Really? For months, abortion providers have been calling for the option to carry out an instrumental voluntary abortion (abortion) – i.e. in the operating room – to be extended to midwives. This has been possible since November 2022, but only on a trial basis. The decree was finally published Official newspaperSunday, December 17th, which is supposed to mark the expansion of their abilities, causes great excitement.

The warning came from feminist circles and associations of abortion providers. The reason for this is stated in a press release published on Monday, December 18th, entitled “Stop the attacks against instrumental abortion!” », says the first article of the implementing regulation: Three, even four doctors must be able to intervene in the event of a complication “on site and within timescales compatible with health security requirements”according to the official text.

A doctor competent in instrumental abortion, that is, a gynecologist-obstetrician and an anesthesiologist-ventilator. In case of’“arterial embolization”a necessary intervention in the event of severe uterine bleeding, the decree also mentions the use of doctors “Providing training and experience in carrying out these actions” – of “Interventional radiologists” In particular, caregivers say.

“Trompo l’oeil expansion”

Such criteria were already required in the experimental phase involving 26 health facilities, but proponents of generalization hoped to dispense with them in the next phase. “To impose so many conditions means treating the profession of midwifery poorly. As if they had to demonstrate additional skills”, reacts Sarah Durocher, President of Family Planning and co-signatory of the press release. As a reminder, they have been allowed to perform medical abortions since 2016.

“One step forward, one step back”, we argue in feminist circles, questioning the method of government. The feminist activist Suzy Rojtman, a member of the collective “Abortion in Europe, Women Decide”, even goes so far as to a “Trompe l’oeil enlargement” the scope of intervention by these professionals.

However, the development seemed to be understood. After just over a year of experimentation, on December 12 the government welcomed this new skill being offered to midwives. “A strong response to access difficulties [à l’avortement] observed in certain areas »welcomed Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau following the presentation of the draft constitution on freedom of abortion to the Council of Ministers.

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