Abortion
(asked on 25th June 2014) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many women are known to have died within one month of operations for termination of pregnancy notified under the Abortion Regulations 1991 in each year since 1984; what cause of death was recorded on the death certificate in each case; and if he will make a statement.
The most comprehensive information about a death following an abortion is published in the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD) (previously known as the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health).
Maternal deaths associated with termination of pregnancy; United Kingdom 1985-2008
Triennium * | Number of deaths from termination of pregnancy |
2006-08 | 0** |
2003-05 | 1 |
2000-02 | 5 |
1997-99 | 2 |
1994-96 | 1 |
1991-93 | 5 |
1988-90 | 3 |
1985-87 | 1 |
* Data is collected for each three year period
**The report also reviews the deaths of two women who died from sepsis following termination of pregnancy and one death associated with cocaine misuse interacting with anaesthesia.
Cause of death recorded on death certificates for women who died following an abortion is not reviewed by the Department. The Maternal, Newborn and Infant Clinical Outcome Review Programme which now oversees CEMD is funded by the Department and other organisations. CEMD take account of all relevant United Kingdom and international research in their work.Data for 2009-12 is due to be published in December this year and annual updates will be produced in the future.