LifeZine No. 515: 17th Aug 07
Irishwoman on Birth Control Pill Died From DVT—‘No Other Medication Has Such a Big Risk’
The risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) for a woman taking a combined oral contraceptive (commonly referred to as "the pill") is well established, according to the “Irish Times” medical correspondent. He was commenting after an inquest in Dublin heard that a woman who was taking a contraceptive pill developed DVT and died. A postmortem revealed that Ms Julie Hennessy, who was a non-smoker and of healthy weight, died of a massive pulmonary embolism due to DVT. Dr Peter Szontagh-Kishazi, pathologist at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, told Dublin County Coroner's Court that the contraceptive pill was the cause of Ms Hennessy's DVT. "The only important factor was the oral contraceptive pill", Dr Szontagh-Kishazi said. "Clotting is a well-known risk of using the contraceptive pill. There is no other medication that has such a big risk as the oral contraceptive pill." The woman’s father said, " I want to warn young women of the possible consequences of taking it. I wouldn't like this to happen to another family." Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Review Shows Poor Outcomes for Teen Mothers—Recommends Supportive Care
Teenagers from socially deprived areas in Ireland and Britain are up to six times more likely to become pregnant than teenagers from other areas and are much less likely to opt for an abortion, according to a new review. And in the long term, the offspring of adolescents have poorer cognitive development, lower educational attainment, more frequent criminal activity and a higher risk of abuse, neglect and behavioural problems during childhood, says the review. Author of the review, consultant obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital, Dr Louise Kenny, has highlighted the urgent need for more research into the causes of the poor outcome of pregnancy in teenage mothers. The authors of the review recommend that teenage mothers receive supportive care and are directed towards the social support they need. Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
UK Teen Abortions Highest in Western Europe
Figures released by the Department of Health have revealed that approximately one in 22 teenagers in some areas of the UK had abortions last year, including 135 girls under the age of 14. One 18-year-old had her sixth abortion in 2006. The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe. Mail on Sunday/ELN. END.
Teenage Abortions Sweeping Across Wales
Despite a UK government scheme to cut unplanned pregnancies by giving morning-after pills to youngsters, a record 1,004 girls under 18 had terminations in Wales last year. According to new figures released to “Wales on Sunday” by the Department of Health, more 15 to 17-year-olds than ever before are “getting rid” of their unwanted babies, with 1,004 girls opting for abortions in 2006 compared to 894 in 2005—a rise of 12%. And the figures also show how abortion isn’t necessarily a one-off, desperate measure for many teenagers. The number of under-18s in Wales and England having a second abortion rose to 1,341 in 2006. IC Wales. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Dutch Study Shows Mother's Diet Affects Cleft-Palate Risk in Baby
Dutch researchers have claimed that pregnant women who eat a so-called western-style diet increase the chances of their unborn child developing a cleft palate compared with those who eat a “prudent dietary pattern”. The western-style diet includes large amounts of red meat and low fruit intake, whereas the prudent pattern includes more garlic, fruit, fish, nuts and vegetables. Dr. Regine P Steegers-Theunissen of Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam and colleagues studied women in the two categories and found no increased chance of cleft palate among the latter group, compared with an increased chance among the former. However, women with a western-style diet were also more likely to be overweight and to smoke. Reuters. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Amnesty Looses USA Bishops' Support
USA bishops have criticised Amnesty International's recent decision to support abortion, and said that it will only work with organisations that promote the right to life from conception to natural death. The bishops also urged the organisation to reverse its policy, which they said "undermines Amnesty's longstanding moral credibility and unnecessarily diverts its mission." Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, "In promoting abortion Amnesty divides its own members—many of whom are Catholics and others who defend the rights of unborn children—and jeopardises its support by people in many nations, cultures and religions who share a consistent commitment to all human rights."
"True commitment to women's rights", he continued, "puts us in solidarity with women and their unborn children. It does not pit one against the other but calls us to advocate on behalf of both." Bishop Skylstad added: "We call upon Amnesty International once again to act in accord with its noblest principles, reconsider its error, and reverse its policy on abortion." Zenit. CLICK TO READ MORE.....