Over fifty percent of women who underwent an abortion express regret about their decision afterward
In the first half of 2025, a significant shift has been observed in Omsk Oblast, Siberia, where more than half of women who underwent counseling decided to keep their pregnancies. This change, according to Omsk Oblast Health Minister Dmitry Markelov, is largely influenced by the voluntary cessation of abortion services by medical organizations and regional laws restricting abortion-related activities.
The decline in abortion rates can be attributed to several key factors. Regional legal restrictions, such as those in at least 20 Russian regions including Omsk, forbid the encouragement or persuasion to have an abortion. These laws impose fines on individuals and legal entities who promote abortion.
Local authorities and religious organizations have also played a role in this trend. They have mounted campaigns that restrict and stigmatize abortion, increasing reluctance among medical providers to perform the procedure. Some medical organizations have voluntarily ceased abortion services due to pressures, fear of inspections, or punitive measures, thereby limiting availability despite abortion being legal up to 12 weeks in Russia.
This voluntary cessation of services acts as a form of de facto restriction, contributing to the observed decline in abortion rates in Omsk Oblast. Although abortion remains legally available in Russia, these regional dynamics create practical barriers to access, driving down official abortion statistics in the affected areas.
Omsk Oblast Governor Vitaly Khotchenko recently discussed improving the demographic situation at a meeting of the Council for Strengthening Spiritual and Moral Values. The low abortion rates in Omsk Oblast are a testament to the impact of these regional dynamics on reproductive health choices. However, more detailed statistical breakdown specific to Omsk is yet to be found in the search results.
Science has shown that the reduction in abortion rates in Omsk Oblast can be attributed to a combination of factors, including regional legal restrictions, campaigns by local authorities and religious organizations, and the voluntary cessation of abortion services by some medical organizations. The shift towards health-and-wellness and women's health, specifically mental and reproductive health, is visible in this decline, emphasizing the importance of these issues in the region.
