Historian presents new perspective on abortion history

In La douleur et le soin, historian Bibia Pavard explores an overlooked but significant chapter in the history of abortion in the West, drawing on previously unseen archival materials. The book focuses on the evolution of a specific medical tool and its journey from invention to widespread use by feminist groups advocating for reproductive rights.

Pavard's research approach

Pavard, a younger generation scholar in women's and gender history, examines the movement of objects through different spaces and communities. Her method involves tracing the paths of items such as the intrauterine device and the canulas used by Harvey Karman, a psychologist who pioneered a new abortion technique.

Karman's controversial legacy

Harvey Karman, a polarizing figure, developed a method that both drew criticism and praise. He was condemned for the death of a Black woman during an abortion in the 1950s but also recognized for his efforts to promote a more woman-centered approach to abortion care.

Global spread of the Karman method

The Karman method gained traction globally, especially after a humanitarian mission in Bangladesh in 1972. This mission, which involved performing abortions on girls raped during the war with Pakistan, helped spread the technique in the West, particularly among minority populations.

Impact on feminist movements

Pavard highlights how the method was reappropriated by feminists like Carol Downer and Lorraine Rothman, who renamed it "menstrual extractions." This rebranding symbolized a broader movement toward women reclaiming control over their bodies and reproductive health.

Crisis and critique in the 1970s

By 1974, the Women's Health Collective in Philadelphia began questioning Karman's practices, criticizing his self-promotion and the ethical concerns surrounding his work in Bangladesh. This led to a broader critique of white feminism and its exclusion of Black voices in the reproductive rights movement.

Adoption in France

In France, the Karman method was introduced through the Choisir collective in Grenoble, inspired by experiences in the UK. The technique's minimal invasiveness and emotional care influenced the broader revolution in abortion access and practices in the country.

Legacy and overshadowed figures

Pavard’s work reveals a history shaped by objects, texts, and unnamed individuals. Ultimately, Harvey Karman fades from the narrative, overshadowed by the powerful movement he helped to inspire.