Getting an abortion in Kuwait

Having an abortion in Kuwait is forbidden. The law restricts the woman from having an abortion, with 3 exceptions, all of which need to be approved by a team of medical doctors:

1. If the continuance of the pregnancy causes serious harm to health.

2. If it is established that the fetus would be born with a serious physical or mental injury, that it cannot be expected that the injury is curable, and both spouses agree to the abortion.

The intent of having an abortion is not punishable by the Kuwait abortion law. However, if abortion is performed and does not fall under the incidence of the three aforementioned exceptions, imprisonment is due. This is why women in Kuwait accept abortion services from so-called “doctors”, who operate in illegal abortion clinics in Kuwait.

Kuwait abortion law

Knowing your rights and responsibilities is mandatory in order to make the best decision for yourself and your family.  The Penal Code of June 2^nd 1960 states the following

Article 174. (1) Whoever performs an abortion on a pregnant woman, whether with or without her consent, by administering or allowing to be administered a pharmaceutical product or other harmful substance or by applying force or other means and thereby causes an abortion shall be punished with  up to ten years imprisonment; a fine of up to 10,000 rupees may also be imposed.

(2)  When the person who causes an abortion in the above described manner is a physician, apothecary, or midwife, the punishment shall amount to up to fifteen years imprisonment; a fine of up to 15,000 rupees may also be imposed.

Article 175.  Whoever performs an abortion on a woman shall not be punished if he has the necessary skills and believes in good faith that the act is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman.

Article 176.  A pregnant woman who, with the intention of performing an abortion, takes a pharmaceutical product or other harmful substance or applies force or any other means and thereby causes an abortion or allows another person to perform an abortion on her in the above described manner, shall be punished with up to five years� imprisonment and/or with a fine of up to 5,000 rupees.

Article 177.  Whoever produces, sells, offers, or has at his disposal substances that he knows by their nature will be used to bring about an abortion shall be punished with up to three years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 1,000 rupees. In this context Article 175 is to be observed.

In an attempt to ease a woman’s decision and also save lives, the Law-Decree No. 25/1981 brought the following modifications:

Article 12.  A physician may perform an abortion on a woman only to save her life.

However, when the pregnancy is of less than four months duration, an abortion is allowed in the following two cases:

1. If the continuance of the pregnancy causes serious harm to health.
2. If it is established that the fetus would be born with a serious physical or mental injury, that it cannot be expected that the injury is curable, and both spouses agree to the abortion.

Except in emergency situations, the abortion must be carried out in a state hospital on the basis of a decision of a commission of three medical specialists, of whom at least one must be a specialist for gynecology and obstetrics.

The Ministry of Health shall regulate through an ordinance the requirements that the members of the above named physician commission must meet and the measures for the performance of the operation that must be carried out.

Reading the above requirements, it is only understandable why women in Kuwait seek help from illegal clinics and unauthorized individuals, in order to get an abortion. Many women, in their attempt to perform a first trimester abortion, choose to buy overpriced, black marketed abortion pills in Kuwait. They often pay unreasonable amounts of money and not even get the necessary substances, but sugar pills in return.

Reading the Kuwait abortion law, and knowing the exceptions in which an abortion is legal makes it easy to understand why women choose to have an abortion in illegal establishments. Most women, attempting to have a first trimester abortion choose abortion pills as their solution. However, being sold on the black market makes them often highly expensive. Also, many scammers accept online payment, only to send a package with aspirin instead of what they claimed to sell.

When the pregnancy is older than 12 weeks, women can only try D&C or surgical abortion, both fitted for a second trimester abortion. This one involves higher abortion risks, since there are invasive methods, which need proper post-operative care, to prevent complications and infections.

Pregnancies older than 12 weeks can only be terminated through surgical or D&C abortions. They are both invasive methods, which involve a higher risk for infection and complications.

What are your options?

Since a legal abortion is not an option you are left with the following solutions:

1. Buying mifepristone or misoprostol online or from unauthorized pharmacies or dealers. You can use these to induce the abortion yourself. But remember, this violates article 340 of the Penal Code, making you eligible for the 3 year imprisonment punishment.

Chemical abortions are successful only if the pregnancy is younger than 7 weeks. After the 7 week mark, the placenta develops, making a different bond between the pregnancy and the uterus, one which cannot be broken so easily with the help of antiprogestational hormones, like mifepristone. Also, eliminating the pregnancy is done with the help of prostaglandins, like misoprostol, which induce cramping and contractions.

If you are not sure how old your pregnancy is, you should, at all cost, avoid chemical abortion. If it is not successful, remainders of the fetus or the placenta might not be eliminated from your uterus. This can lead to infection, hemorrhaging and even gangrene.

2. Accepting the services of illegal abortion clinics in Kuwait. This is not an option, no matter how much it looks like one. The individuals claiming to be doctors often do not have the training, condition, and even experience to perform the abortion. Think about one thing: you could be their first patient.
3. Medical tourism is the third option and most valid one. It means you can travel to Bangalore, India where abortion is legal. This applies to all citizens, disregarding their citizenship. You are perfectly protected, your privacy and confidentiality being fully respected.

The American Hospital is located in the heart of Bangalore city, India. It has been, for many years now, the no.1 choice for women all over the world, and especially the Middle East. Understanding freedom of choice allows us to help women express it in legal, safe, humane and respectful conditions. Having an illegal abortion in Kuwait is not worth the risk. Stay informed, choose wisely. It is your life we are talking about.