'Barbaric': Malta's abortion law threatens US woman's life, say doctors

euronews.com:

The life of a US woman is in grave danger after Maltese doctors refused to grant her a potentially life-saving termination in a medical emergency, her partner Jay Weeldreyer told Euronews. 

Andrea Prudente, who was on holiday in Malta with Weeldreyer for a "babymoon" holiday, suffered a premature breaking of her waters on Thursday.

Despite her 16-week-old foetus no longer being viable and the acute risks to her life, doctors told Prudente, 38, from the Seattle area, she could not have an abortion as it is illegal in Malta, according to Weeldreyer.

He said staff at Mater Dei hospital in Msida informed them that she must instead wait until her foetus's heartbeat stops or there is an imminent risk to her life before it can be removed.

Abortion is illegal in all cases in Malta.

Under Maltese law, those found to have terminated a child or "caused a miscarriage" can face imprisonment for up to three years. This includes both pregnant women and medical professionals.

Mater Dei hospital has not responded to Euronews' requests to comment on this case, nor has the government in Malta.  

“The way the Maltese are talking about this is that it is an abortion, the truth of the matter is that it is an incomplete miscarriage,” Weeldreyer told Euronews. “There is no possibility that this pregnancy results in a viable baby.

“We have lost our daughter,” he added. "I haven't had a chance to grieve yet."

The pair had come to Malta to celebrate their babymoon. “We wanted to come here and have a romantic, connecting and loving two-week holiday to celebrate having a family,” said Weeldreyer. “Instead we are having to face Andrea’s peril.”

Malta is the first European country they have visited.

Prudente is currently in a stable condition in the south