Moral dilemmas of women undergoing pregnancy termination for medical reasons in Poland

Abstract

The decision to abort a pregnancy for medical reasons is sensitive to religious and social determinants, especially in the current political situation in which abortion may become prohibited in Poland. The high response rate (100%) was probably the result of the patients' attitudes: they repeatedly emphasised they were thankful for the help and empathy of the medical personnel and for being allowed to undergo the procedure. In Poland, the majority of centres use conscience clauses to justify their refusal to terminate a pregnancy.