At the Béziers Sexual Health Center, around 800 abortions are performed each year

Le service d'orthogénie accueille les femmes, qu'elles soient majeures ou mineures, qui désirent une interruption volontaire de grossesse. Diane Petitmangin

The Sexual Health Center at Béziers hospital is a place for listening and medical consultations, which also offers orthogenic appointments for an abortion . The opportunity to take stock of the issue, on this day of women's rights, since the constitutionalization of abortion.

"No one comes here with desire. It's a big decision to make and it's always difficult…"From the outset, Dr Fannette Galtier, gynecologist-obstetrician at the Béziers hospital center, head of the orthogenics department (*), dismisses any value judgment or moralizing discourse on a possible  trivialization of voluntary termination of pregnancy, constitutionalization or not. "Even if it's a good thing to protect this right in the face of a possible regression of legislation& ;quot;.

At the Sexual Health Center (formerly the Center for Family Planning and Education) in Béziers, a little away from the gynecology-obstetrics sector, the atmosphere is cozy but the atmosphere is relaxed. ;welcome, for the few women and young girls present this Wednesday, March 6, is smiling and warm. Here, we fulfill several missions: education for minors in educational establishments (middle and high schools), information and provision of contraception, screening for STIs (sexually transmitted infections), voluntary termination of pregnancy and medical follow-ups.

A stable number of abortions in Béziers

"The number of abortions performed in Béziers is relatively stable from year to year and amounts to around 750 -800/year", continues Fannette Galtier. "And we have noted a drop in the percentage of minors in recent times, with a figure which is around 5 or 6%. Whereas twenty years ago, it could go up to 8% or even 10%, a year", add the midwife and the marriage and family counselor (**).

"In Hérault, the care offer is generally well adapted, continues the doctor. And in Béziers and in the Biterrois, access is quick and well signposted which allows, when necessary, very short deadlines which can be 48 hours between the first consultation and the treatment of the patient".

Disparities that persist

As for access to contraception, "different systems have been put in place" which allow to mesh the territory, "even if there always remains a percentage of the population which has more or less access, depending on different factors (schooling or not, family environment, etc., Editor’s note). We are also in a disparate territory in terms of reception infrastructure depending on whether we live on the coast or in the Hauts-Cantons", complete the two women.

At the CSS, the staff is present, from Monday to Friday: "We are lucky to have a doctor every day and staff& nbsp;to support the women who come to see us, whether they are social workers, midwives… And we should note the development of the network of private midwives, who can provide medical abortion up to 7 weeks pregnant (9 weeks amenorrhea). Many are formed to respond to territorial disparities.

Psychosocial support

And beyond the practical facilities implied by the presence of personnel and infrastructure which allow the carrying out of additional procedures (ultrasound, blood tests, etc.), "we are there from the first to the last day, on a medical level, of course, but also psychosocial". During the post-abortion check-up consultation, "the midwife will assess the patient's condition, invite her to take the time to relax , see if she needs help or support.

A little extra humanity at the heart of situations and particular cases which escape any generalization.