Obstetricians Statements

Statements by Irish Obstetrcians

Prof John Bonnar

During the All Party Oireachtas Committee Oral Hearings on Tuesday, 2nd May 2000, Professor John Bonnar stated the below regarding the intention of any form of medical treatment which resulted in the death of a baby.

We have never regarded these interventions as abortion. It would never cross an obstetrician's mind that intervening in a case of pre-eclampsia, cancer of the cervix or ectopic pregnancy is abortion. They are not abortion as far as the professional isgf concerned, these are medical treatments that are essential to save the life of the mother."

Dr. P.J. Conway

During the All Party Oireachtas Committee Oral Hearings on Thursday, 4th May 2000, Doctor P.J. Conway said:

"...only two maternal deaths have been recorded among 223,000 births in three Dublin maternity hospitals between 1980 and 1989. The figure has improved since then. This makes Ireland the safest place in the world for a mother to have her baby."

Prof Eamon O'Dwyer

During the All Party Oireachtas Committee Oral Hearings on Thursday, 4th May 2000, Dr. Eamon O'Dwyer, OB Pofessor at Galway University Hospital, and an obstetrician for 40 years, states that he has looked after more than 9,000 women, and none have died.

"I never had reason to think that I could have done better if I had abortion available"