[Study of the profile and trajectory of women seeking a maternal medical termination of pregnancy for psychosocial reasons at the University Hospital of Tours from 2017 to 2021.]

Abstract

Objective: The law of 7 July 2011 adopts the concept of therapeutic abortion (Medical Termination of Pregnancy or MTP) for maternal reasons if the pregnancy poses a "serious threat" to the woman's health, allowing for the introduction of the concept of psycho-social distress.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective monocentric study involving 33 women seeking IMG for psychosocial reasons between January 2017 and December 2021 at the University Hospital of Tours. The study resulted in 29 approvals and 25 MTP procedures performed.

Results: Eighty-seven per cent of the requests were accepted. Over half of the women were under 25 years old and were primiparous. The procedures were performed at a mean gestational age of 22 weeks. 60% did not use contraception at the time of conception, and 36% did not use it after the MTP. About a third of the women experienced violence and had psychiatric histories. The majority of the women did not have stable economic resources. Fifty-six per cent of the MTP procedures involved feticide. There were 7 immediate complications with no subsequent consequences. The average time to completion was 16.5 days.

Conclusion: This is a delicate and underexplored subject in literature. Although sporadic in France, these procedures have been practiced for many years. The diversity of opinions during multidisciplinary committees ensures the best objectivity.Requests for psychosocial IMG are rare, but responding to them is in accordance with the law. Analyzing the profile and journey of women has contributed to a better understanding of the complex situations that lead them to this decision.