Chinese Mum Forced To Have Abortion At Seven Months Says She Is Being Forced To Stay In Hospital 'Like Prison'

Chinese Mum Forced To Have Abortion At Seven Months Says She Is Being Forced To Stay In Hospital 'Like Prison'
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Feng Jianmei after her forced abortion. Pic: Rex

A Chinese woman who was forced to abort her baby at seven months because of the country's strict 'one-child-policy' claims she is being kept in hospital against her will.

The case of Feng Jianmei, 23, sparked international outrage last week when photographs of her and the blood-covered baby, were posted online.

This appalling photo was taken by her sister-in-law and shows the exhausted mother next to the bloody and perfectly formed corpse of her baby. (Before clicking on the link, please be aware it is very upsetting.)

She said she was forced to have her second baby aborted with a chemical injection because she could not pay the 40,000 yuan (£4,000) fine for having a second child.

Officials originally maintained she had consented to the abortion as she already has a daughter, born in 2007.

Li Yuongjou, deputy chief of Ankang's family department, originally said Ms Feng "had not been forced to abort", adding: "A lot of us tried for days to educate her. She agreed to the abortion herself."

He also added that in China, an abortion is allowed up to 28 weeks.

Now Feng says she is feeling severe pressure following suggestions she and her family were "traitors" for sharing her experience with the media.

Speaking by phone from her hospital room, Feng said she had a persistent headache, but was gradually recovering from the procedure earlier this month.

She said she wanted to go home but wasn't allowed to leave.

"Right now, I feel the hospital is like a prison," she said. "I feel huge pressure, especially after the 'traitor' slogans started appearing in town."

She said about a dozen guards were patrolling outside her room, and would follow family members when they go to the washroom or leave the hospital building.

Deng Jicai, a sister of the 30-year-old father Deng Jiyuan, said: "We are already heartbroken from losing the baby. How did we become traitors?"

Her family were not allowed to be present during the abortion. There have also been reports that her husband has had to go into hiding.