It was not always this way, of course. The article outlines a long history into the 1600s.

> According to "[t]he Criminal Code of 1903 (…) [w]omen who performed self-abortions were subject to detention in a #workhouse for up to three years; the same for anybody who assisted the abortion."

From 1936-1955 "abortions were banned – except for those necessary for medical reasons. Why? [O]ne of the 'old #Bolsheviks,' expressed the official position in an article in #Trud (Labor) newspaper: " (cont)