October 28th marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Savita Halappanavar.
A Galway Pro-Choice group actively campaigning for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment and the access to free, safe and legal abortion in Ireland, has begun live-tweeting the events leading up to the death of Savita in 2012.
Savita, 31, entered Galway's University Hospital 17-weeks pregnant five years ago.
She had asked for a termination of her pregnancy but was told it could not be done because a foetal heartbeat was still present. Once the heartbeat stopped, the procedure was carried out. Savita later died of septicaemia.
Tomorrow 5yrs ago was the day #Savita went into hospital never to leave. In her memory we ask ppl to change their profile pic to her pic ? pic.twitter.com/GSuQTxvBTR
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 20, 2017
The tweets began on October 21st at 9 am and will be published chronologically according to the account of how events unfolded by Savita's husband Praveen until October 28th.
We'll begin to tell #Savita's story as told to us by her husband Praveen, posting her last moments in #Galway in 2012 hr by hr. #NeverAgain
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 21, 2017
21st Oct 9am: #Savita is 17 wks pregnant. She spent night in unbearable lower back & pelvis pain. Praveen calls University Hospital #Galway
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 21, 2017
#Savita goes into hospital. A foetal heartbeat is heard. Praveen is told #Savita is fine. She is given pain medication & sent home.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 21, 2017
At home #Savita feels something is wrong. They return to the hospital & the midwife forms the impression that #Savita is miscarrying.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 21, 2017
An examination finds the foetal membranes are bulging & a miscarriage is almost inevitable.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 21, 2017
#Savita & Praveen are told that the baby won’t survive & that it will be only hours until miscarriage. #Savita is admitted to await events.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 21, 2017
The account issued a message to its followers to say that tweets were not automated as they remember her final moments as they happened five years ago.
22 October 12.30am: #Savita’s waters break.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 21, 2017
22nd October 6.05am: #Savita has a high pulse rate.
It is now: 5 1⁄2 hours since membranes ruptured.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 22, 2017
6.30am: #Savita is told she is fasting but not told why. Later she has a scan which confirms a foetal heartbeat.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 22, 2017
#Savita & Praveen ask about a termination of the pregnancy. The consultant says it's not possible while there's a foetal heartbeat.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 22, 2017
The consultant agrees to check this with someone else. The consultant does not get back to them about it.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 22, 2017
23rd October 8.25am: #Savita asks for medication to expedite foetus' delivery.
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 23, 2017
At this point #Savita has been in constant pain for 3 days miscarrying, waiting for woman to turn septic before stopping her pain is cruel ?
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 23, 2017
Consultant says legal position in Ireland doesnt permit termination at this point
— Galway Pro-Choice (@GalwayProChoice) October 23, 2017
The tweets will continue throughout the week in 'real-time' to highlight the pain Savita, her husband Praveen and their family endured.
The tragic death of Savita Halappanavar in 2012 triggered discussion over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall IrelandNovember 1st is the deadline day for the Irish residing in the UK that want to vote in the 8th Amendment referendum due to take place next year.
People are encouraged to check their eligibility - for more information, visit checktheregister.ie.
