Some Armenian women have records number of abortions – gynecologist

Armenian women sometimes have a record number of abortion history throughout their lives, a gynecologist has said.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Donara Alagyozyan said, that sometimes they have minor patients who want to make an abortion.

“Armenian women can be considered as record holders in terms of abortion,” said she. “There are women below 50 who have made 20-25 abortions, and everybody takes it easy.”

“The picture has now changed a bit; women have a clearer picture what they resort to, but to say that abortions have reduced – no,” she explained.

“We are even having minor patients,” Alagyozyan added.

Psychologist Lilit Yeritsyan, also present at the press conference, said that besides the stress women undergo by doing an abortion, it is important to consider also the psychological condition of the undesired child.

“If the child – not wanted by the mother or father – is, however, given birth to, s/he mainly is at risk. It becomes difficult to communicate with him/her; the child is having complexes,” explained Yeritsyan.

She also said that experience has shown that such children very often stand out among their peers.

Priest Tovma, also attending the press conference, in turn, said that despite Armenia’s law allowing abortions before the infant reaches 12 weeks the Armenian Apostolic Church is categorically against any abortion.