Date Published: 10-Apr-2013

Consultant obstetrician Dr Katherine Astbury is now being cross examined by Praveen Halappanavar’s Senior Counsel Eugene Gleeson.

He asked the consultant what percentage was the possibility that the foetus would reach viability on Monday evening 22nd October.

She answered that available medical knowledge would suggest that a patient whose membranes have ruptured under 20 weeks would have a 12 to 18 percent chance of foetus reaching viability.

He also referred to observation charts in the medical records.

Dr. Astbury said five four-hourly checks of vital signs were carried out on Monday 22nd October instead of six as per policy guidelines when membranes have ruptured.

Dr. Astbury was questioned on the legalities in other countries, she said on the patient request in some other countries, patients in gestation up to 20 weeks are offered either termination OR continuation of the pregnancy.

She said after Savita had requested a termination on the Tuesday morning of her hospitalisation when there was no substantial risk to her life, she told her that in this country, it is not legal to terminate a pregnancy on the grounds of poor prognosis for the foetus.

She was questioned on Praveen’s claim that when requesting a termination ‘Unfortunately I cannot, this is a catholic country, we are bound by the law’.

She responded by saying she made NO such mention of religion but said she cannot terminate in Ireland because the foetus is still alive.

She stressed it was something she ‘certainly would not say’. When pressed, she said it would certainly be insensitive. Her questioning continues.