Pregnancy termination from ancient Persia till present time

Akhtari, E. (2017) Pregnancy termination from ancient Persia till present time. Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility, 19 (40). pp. 1-5.

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Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy termination has been considered since the ancient times. Different communities have their own rules for abortion based on religion, culture and social norms which control the society. Currently, illegal abortion is one of the most common causes for hospitalization of women. On the other hand, the legislative institution and public opinions based on religion and common culture approve certain punishment for the people involved in abortion that is different in various communities based on maternal health. These punishments had considerable historical process regarding to valuing fetus life beside the mother's life. Reviewing the historical documents and text books, particularly Vandidiad (Avesta), fascinating findings about pregnancy termination were found in that era. This review article looks at pregnancy termination from ancient times till present time and it also shows the recent developments until recent legislation which did not ban abortion for saving the mother's life in 1991. Method: It is searched all the old medical References from the past until recent century. It started from Avesta as an oldest writing that has a chapter with some points about pregnancy rules. So it is searched the other References as a librarian analysis and gathered all the data�s about pregnancy and abortion rules. Therefore by performing research, we have come up with fascinating findings about pregnancy termination in that era. This review article looks at pregnancy termination from ancient times till present time and it also shows the recent developments until recent legislation which did not ban abortion in 1991. Looking at the historical aspects of this topic shows that there was a humanitarian approach to mother, fetus and pregnancy in ancient Persia. Those specific approaches probably have had long term effects towards building a communal attitude to pregnancy termination based on importance of family, religious believes and health. © 2017, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.

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