U.S. woman on vacation in Malta denies abortion

American Andrea Prudente and her partner Jay Weeldreyer were 16 weeks pregnant. To celebrate, the couple decided to spend two weeks together in Malta.

About a week later, Prudente was taken to the hospital, where her placenta was said to be away from the uterus and began to miscarriage. That means that pregnancy is no longer feasible, and unless the pregnancy is aborted, Prudente's life will be at serious risk. But abortion is illegal in Malta-even in extreme situations like her.

ABC News talked to Weeldreyer, who was sitting at his partner's bedside at a hospital in Malta.

"There was no choice. Malta does nothing. The law is very limited," Weeldreyer said.

Couples can't be long The flight is too dangerous in the state of Prudente, and the risk of her miscarriage during the flight is potentially fatal, so she cannot return to the United States.

"We are literally trapped. In the meantime, every day, every minute, she increases her risk of infection," he said.

Lara Dimitrijevic, a lawyer at Prudente and founder of the Women's Rights Foundation in Malta, confirmed that Malta has no desire for a couple.

"I didn't challenge spirituality in Malta. It's a small island completely separated from the rest of the world. If a doctor actually had an abortion, He will simply be sentenced to imprisonment, "Dimitrijevic told ABC News.

Malta is the only country in Europe that has banned abortion for some reason, even in the case of rape.

"I started this foundation in 2013 because I wanted to help women. I'm a professional life, but a professional choice," said Lara Dimitrievich. .. "How can we justify a woman's potential for this kind of danger in 2022? The Maltese have complete control over a woman's body," Dimitrijevic added.

Dimitrijevic contacted Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela and his deputy minister to seek the help of Pldente. She said they never responded.

Weeldreyer was visibly upset when she told ABC News about her partner.

"This baby can't live, and the fact that Andrea is forced to suffer as a result is barbaric. For example, it's unforgivable. It's a long, long grind. Has she passed through the exploiter? "

No I'm interested in becoming an activist, but after this experience it's one of the obvious things that are indisputable and correct in some situations, and I think it's really important to me. Either change the definition, this is a medical continuation of the miscarriage, or at least make sure there is a carve-out to save the life of the woman, "Weeldreyer said.

After days of discussions with midwives returning to the United States and a few days of whispers from Maltese hospital staff, Weeldreyer and Prudente work with an insurance company to make an emergency flight with a doctor. I planned. A nearby country where Prudente can undergo life-saving surgery.

"Without the insurance company, we would have been stuck on this island and Andrea would have had no choice. That's a horrifying reality," he said.

But the flight remains dangerous. "Oh, I'm worried. I'm worried. I'm where I find myself full of emotions because it's mixed. And in a way it's a relief. And in a way it's horror, and I'm very disappointed with anger. "

Weeldreyer He says he knows that their situation is not an isolated event.

"I hope (our story) will be a clear element to resolve at least part of the dispute. I know this is not clear to many. People have strong emotions It's a concept of abortion and I know there's no answer, but it's like people see their beliefs and think they really should be questioned. " He said.

"What has happened to us since then is to imagine what would happen if we were to become a woman in Malta. The general occurrence and need for miscarriage. Due to medical intervention, given the prevalence of the disease, and you will be rejected to the point where you may die, it's horrifying. "

Weeldreyer and Prudente are in Malta. I plan to fly to the island and hope that Prudente will be able to receive life-saving medical procedures within 24 hours.