Perspectiva del médico ante el aborto y sus repercusiones medico legales en el Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: Abortion, defined as the termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks and with a fetus weighing less than 500g, is a global issue, particularly prevalent in Latin America, where high rates of unintended pregnancies and the criminalization of abortion are observed. In Ecuador, between 2013 and 2017, 243 cases of women undergoing abortions without specifying the specific cause were reported. The objective of this study is to interpret the medical-legal situation of abortion in Ecuador through a literature review to facilitate decision-making processes. The analysis-synthesis method was employed, conducting a bibliographic review of articles from journals such as PubMed, Scielo, and Elsevier, along with the Integral Penal Code, to gather relevant information for this study. The conclusions indicate that the reforms incorporated by the National Assembly in the Integral Penal Code legislate on abortion as follows: firstly, to prevent maternal death when no other alternative exists; and secondly, in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape. As of the date of this study, these laws remain in effect, allowing healthcare professionals to act within the legal framework and provide safety for both the physician and the patient.