New guidelines on inducing births in early pregnancy

Doctors have been told to induce birth in early pregnancy, regardless of whether the foetus will survive, if there is clear evidence of an infection likely to cause sepsis and potential death of the mother.

The new guidelines have been issued to all hospitals by the HSE as part of detailed safety measures in response to the death of Savita Halappanavar.

Under an updated version of the Irish Maternity Early Warning System, drawn up by the HSE and the Institute for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, medics are under orders to consider the procedure when the circumstances emerge during weeks 12-24 of a pregnancy.