Twilight zone entering a pre Roe v Wade world

Déjà vu:  Six decades later, Dr. Edward Kaufman still recalls the horrors he saw while working on a septic abortion ward in Los Angeles. This is a republished echo:

Many of the women in the unit had nearly died from attempted self-induced abortions. He predicts a return of the units — and gravely ill women — in a post-Roe future.

As a student nurse, I had the clinical experience shared by Dr. Kaufman, who wrote this echo opinion letter.  In fact, many women - all of them being African Americans, were treated like criminals when they presented in the Emergency at Baltimore City Hospital with hemorrhages caused by botched abortions.

Dear Editor:  I’m a doctor who worked an ‘infected abortion’ ward in 1960. I worry they’re coming back.

In 1960, I was a 24-year-old intern at L.A. County hospital in Boyle Heights. I chose this hospital because interns there got to do many essential medical procedures.

One of my first rotations was on the infected abortion ward. Most of my patients had very high fevers; some battled potentially fatal septic shock. Many were screaming in pain and anguish. Most were women of color.

Studies of women who carry unwanted pregnancies to term show a high incidence of maternal depression, poor or no prenatal care, greater use of alcohol and illicit drugs, and less likelihood of breast feeding. Children born to these mothers have more psychiatric problems throughout their lives.

Repeal of Roe vs. Wade risks hospital wards being filled with dying women, and many more disturbed women and children in America. 

Your body- Your choice!

These women were seriously infected by their own hand with the aid of a coat hanger, knitting needle or toxic substance like drain cleaner or by an illegal abortionist. At the time, every large city had an infected abortion unit.

Edward Kaufman, Laguna Beach, California