A pregnant American woman who experienced an incomplete miscarriage while on vacation in Malta will be flown to Spain on Thursday to prevent infection, as Malta’s law prohibits abortion under any circumstances, according to her partner.
Jay Weeldreyer, speaking to The Associated Press, explained that his partner, Andrea Prudente, is at risk of a life-threatening infection if the fetal tissue is not promptly removed.
Prudente, 38, had heavy bleeding on June 12, followed by a premature rupture of the amniotic sac and placental separation, said Weeldreyer, 45. Although the hospital is closely monitoring her for signs of infection, they are unable to perform the surgery to complete the miscarriage due to legal restrictions.
Malta is the only European Union member state that bans abortions for any reason. Mater Dei Hospital, where Prudente is receiving treatment, declined to comment on her situation due to privacy regulations, when contacted by The AP.
“The miscarriage is 80% complete,” Weeldreyer stated. “Her water broke, the placenta has separated, but because there’s a fetal heartbeat, the fetus can’t be removed,” he added. In other interviews with news outlets, the couple described the placenta as partially detached.
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Mater Dei Hospital, a public facility in Malta, refused to discuss the woman’s medical condition due to privacy restrictions.
An American woman vacationing in Malta suffered a miscarriage and will have to be airlifted to Spain to have an abortion and avoid an infection. (Dukas/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)
The couple, from Issaquah, Washington, arrived in Malta on June 5 for a long-awaited vacation. Prudente started bleeding and was admitted to the hospital a week later, according to her partner. He mentioned that she was 16 weeks pregnant at the time of bleeding.
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In addition to concerns about infection, the couple is also worried that Prudente may experience further bleeding during the medical evacuation flight they have arranged for Thursday evening to Spain, where she will be admitted to a hospital.
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Weeldreyer commended Mater Dei Hospital for doing a good job within the boundaries of Maltese law. Prudente is receiving antibiotics and is under close monitoring for signs of infection, he added.
