Ukraine: The Handoff | Radiolab

Intro

In collaboration with NPR’s Rough Translation, Radiolab presents the second part of their series on Ukraine. This episode, titled “Ukraine: The Handoff,” delves into the journey of abortion pills smuggled into Ukraine after the invasion. The story explores the complexities of choice and access to healthcare in a conflict zone.

Main Takeaways

Abortion Pills in a Time of War

• The pills were meant to help women who experienced sexual violence by Russian soldiers.
• Doctors in Ukraine are distributing abortion pills packed in coffee bags to women in need.
• Abortion pills have been legal in Ukraine for 10 years, but supply chains were cut off when Russia invaded in February 2022.
• Women were showing up three to five times more often in doctors’ offices asking for abortion pills.
• International organizations were slow to react to the crisis.

Complicated Pregnancies and Uncertainty

• The war in Ukraine has led to an increase in complicated pregnancies, with one doctor estimating a 1/3 increase in complications.
• Women affected by the war have lost their homes, their relatives, and their sources of income.
• The abortion pills have been used for more than just abortion, with some women using them to manage complications from their pregnancies.
• Being pregnant during the war is much different than in normal life because of the uncertainty of the future.
• Misoprostal is a pill used for complications like miscarriages, bleeding, inducing contractions, and giving birth.

Choice, Religion, and Privacy

• Doctor Valentina believes that a woman has the right to decide for herself whether or not to have an abortion in wartime.
• Religion plays a large role in Levyve, where Valentina works, and not many doctors like to perform abortions.
• Valentina now has to ask all patients requesting an abortion to sign a form allowing their personal data to be disclosed to third parties related to national security, economic prosperity, and human rights during martial law.
• The form has raised concerns and shock among patients who have to sign it.
• Ukrainian hospitals are requiring patients seeking abortions to fill out a form asking if the abortion is for war-related reasons.

Summary

Abortion Pills in a Time of War

In the midst of the conflict in Ukraine, abortion pills became a lifeline for women who had experienced sexual violence by Russian soldiers. However, the supply chains for these pills were disrupted when Russia invaded in 2022. Doctors in Ukraine took it upon themselves to distribute abortion pills packed in coffee bags to women in need. The increased demand for these pills due to the war posed a challenge for healthcare providers, as international organizations were slow to respond. This highlighted the complexities of choice and access to healthcare in a conflict zone.

Complicated Pregnancies and Uncertainty

The war in Ukraine not only brought violence and displacement but also an increase in complicated pregnancies. Women who had lost their homes, relatives, and sources of income faced additional challenges during their pregnancies. The abortion pills, originally intended for terminating pregnancies, were also used to manage complications caused by the war. Being pregnant during a time of uncertainty and blackouts added to the already stressful and isolating experience for women in Ukraine. Misoprostal, a pill used for various pregnancy-related complications, became a vital resource in this war-torn region.

Choice, Religion, and Privacy

Doctor Valentina, working in a religiously influenced community, firmly believed in a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body, including having an abortion during wartime. However, the intersection of religion and medical practice made it challenging for many doctors to perform abortions. To add to the complexities, Valentina had to ask patients seeking abortions to sign a form allowing their personal data to be disclosed to third parties during martial law. This raised concerns and shock among patients, highlighting the erosion of privacy and the impact of war on personal choices.

Conclusion

The story of abortion pills in Ukraine during the war sheds light on the resilience and resourcefulness of healthcare providers and women in need. It underscores the importance of access to reproductive healthcare, even in the most challenging circumstances. While the conflict has brought uncertainty and fear, it has also sparked conversations about choice, religion, and privacy. The journey of these pills serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities faced by individuals caught in the midst of war.