News

Seven thousand dollars plus six tablets equals zero babies

DESPITE LAWS AND measures by authorities to reduce the risk of 'back-door' abortions, it is easy for women to get them done.

Posing as a timid pregnant teenager, a STAR reporter visited a renowned location downtown and spoke to a saleswoman who assured her help was available for anything. After much coaxing and reassurance by the lady, "It's ok. We're women. It can happen to anybody," the reporter was told, "I have something."

For a meagre $7,000, the reporter was told she could get six tablets, two to be taken orally and four inserted vaginally. She was promised that by the following day, her four-week old dilemma would disappear with the coming of her menses, but after 10 weeks the dosage and the price doubled. The lady warned, however, that it had to be done before three months or, "a death ting dat."

"Is not abortion. Is just someting to mek yu period come back. Four or five months, now dat a murder," she reassured the frightened reporter.

'No-name' tablets

Although the saleswoman told the reporter the tablets had no name, "dem nuh really run nuh name, juss someting dem give yu," Dr. Errol Daley, gynaecologist/obstetrician, told THE STAR that it was likely to be Cytotec.

Misoprostol (Cytotec) is an ulcer medication usually prescribed for stomach ulcers as they protect the lining of the stomach. Cytotec, however, has an abortive effect as it contains prostaglandin, a hormone that causes the uterus to contract, therefore expelling its contents.

According to Dr. Daley, the problem associated with this self-medication is that a lot of times, the pregnancy is not fully terminated and further evacuation of the uterus is needed. When this occurs, women usually end up with severe abdominal pains and excessive bleeding, and admitted to the hospital.

While a few doctors told THE STAR they were aware the medication was being abused, they have no idea where persons are getting the drug.

A pharmacy assistant told THE STAR that some pharmacies have stopped stocking the drug because it was being used to perform abortions. The source also said pharmacists were careful in dispensing the prescription drug.

A spokesperson from the Pharmacy Council, however, said they were not aware of pharmacies not stocking the drugs.

In the meantime, Dr. Daley had warnings for all the women who decide to take this route. "A lot of terminations that are done are incomplete terminations. If that happens, it is very dangerous to the woman," he said. The doctor further explained that infections could develop which could lead to sterility and even death.

He was also concerned about the instructed dosages, as high dosages are not recommended. He says the later the pregnancy, the more sensitive the woman is to the drug.

Guyana and Barbados are the only countries in the Caribbean where abortion is legal.