At a coroner’s inquest in Wales, a narrative verdict has been handed down in the death of Manon Jones, an 18-year-old City of Bristol College student often described as A-level and bubbly, who died in 2005 because of complications associated with the incomplete abortion induced by pills approved for pregnancy termination in Great Britain.  The Avon deputy coroner in charge, Brian Whitehouse, describes it as the “saddest case” he’d encountered in 40 years.

Jones discussed the pregnancy thoroughly with both her mother and her boyfriend before choosing a medical, or pill-induced, abortion.  Almost one-third of all early-term abortions in the United Kingdom are medically induced instead of being surgical procedures.

Jones cited religious differences as the reason for the abortion, as her boyfriend is Islamic.  She took the first dose of medication to terminate her pregnancy on June 10 and another on June 12.

Thinking her termination had gone as expected, she experienced heavy bleeding and lightheadedness on June 15, prompting her boyfriend to get her to immediate medical intervention.  Scans taken at that time were interpreted as normal and she was released.

A few days later, travel abroad was cut short because Jones was still not feeling well.  She returned home and was hospitalized on June 23.  By the time her mother arrived, Jones was in intensive care because she’d been having seizures and her heart had stopped beating.

Jones was diagnosed with hypovolemia and shock caused from “retained products of conception.”  Shock is a medical term for a dangerous drop in blood volume.  The “retained products” was the embryo, not expelled during the abortion after all.

Jones’ life support system was turned off on June 27, 2005.

Jones’ parents contend she might still be alive if she hadn’t been made to wait four hours for a blood transfusion after admitting herself to the hospital on the 23rd.  The medical staff was busy and distracted.

The medical staff feels they may have had a good chance of saving Jones’ life if she’d only come to the hospital instead of traveling abroad.

The family of the boyfriend, Naeem Muzaffar, 20, knew almost nothing of Jones or her pregnancy.  Upon learning of the inquest, they say their son made a mistake.

Source: Daily Mail UK