In the early years of the civil war, Aurelia takes pennyroyal to try to induce an abortion, and when it doesn't work, she uses a metal rod to self-induce an abortion. Samuel discovers her passed out in blood. Dr. Foster guides Samuel in using a risky new procedure to save her life, but causes infertility. When Samuel tells her she won't be able to have children, she shares that she already has one, a little boy named Gabriel.
KEYWORDS: Pregnancy decision, self-induced abortion.
Episodes:
The Belle Alliance
Network:
PBS
Health outcomes:
Uterine perforation; intervention (other/major); infertility