A woman carrying a baby with fatal foetal abnormality says she was refused an abortion at a Dublin hospital.
The Dáil heard that the woman, whose baby was diagnosed with FFA, was told at the Coombe Hospital to wait another four weeks to see if there is a spontaneous miscarriage.
PBP-Solidarity TDs Ruth Coppinger and Bríd Smith raised the issue today during order of business.
Smith said that the woman had contacted her and asked the issue to be addressed in the Dáil.
The woman was 14 weeks pregnant at the time.
I've just raised the case of a women who was denied a termination for fatal foetal abnormalities despite 2 consultants agreeing. The hospital asking for her to wait 4 weeks, where it's likely she'll miscarry. Woman is considering travel to UK. #repealedthe8th #dubw #legisl8
— Ruth Coppinger (@RuthCoppingerSP) January 17, 2019
The woman said that two consultants confirmed a case of fatal foetal abnormality, but she was still refused an abortion.
The law states that a termination may be carried out when two obstetricians confirm that the foetus can not survive outside the womb.
Abortion services became legally available for the first time in Ireland on January 1.
Abortion services can be availed of under any circumstances when a pregnancy is no more than 12 weeks.
Terminations can be granted otherwise under very specific circumstances, including cases of FFA.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl stated that it was inappropriate for individual medical cases to be raised in the Dáil.
