Excuse my ignorance, but I don't understand what the rubber contraption was that she used to abort the fetus, nor why it led to her death. I've heard of 'coat hanger' abortions but not sure what this rubber thingy was. Can someone explain it for me, thank you
shareI've heard 2 theories. The bulb was used as a suction device, or it was used to flush a liquid mixture to clear things out. Either method, they both can cause hemorrhaging.
shareYour second theory makes sense I suppose. I was confused since the contraption looked like a hot water bottle to me.
shareIt's a suction device. It's actually pretty straight forward. You insert one end of the device and squeeze the bulb to literally suck the contents out of the uterus. It's safe when performed by a professional, but not when done by a 50's housewife to herself. Hard to say what exactly caused the bleeding, but she obviously did something wrong. Leo's character mentioned something about the placenta still being present and that's connected to the mom's blood supply, so if she ripped the fetus out, I can imagine that would cause substantial hemorrhaging. She wasn't in labor so everything was still attached on the inside, if that makes sense.
sharepoet515 is correct. That device was used to push fluid into the uterus, which would detach embryo and placebo from the uterine walls. It would then be passed a day later.
The title character in the movie "Vera Drake" (excellent movie, btw) provides abortions in that way.
That's the only reason I knew what the contraption was...from watching 'Vera Drake'. I agree with you jmeier, it is an excellent movie!!
Poor is the woman whose pleasure depends on the permission of another