Anniversary: Young wife leaves child motherless after abortion

On June 16, 1989, 19-year-old Margaret Paula Clodfelter died in a Virginia hospital from complications suffered during a safe and legal abortion. Dr. William Fitzhugh had done the abortion at Richmond Medical Center For Women on June 2, 1989.

After she was discharged from the clinic, Margaret had pain and bleeding. She called the facility to consult with them, but they did not tell her that she needed any further care.

On June 4, she sought treatment at a hospital, where she was diagnosed with retained fetal tissue and a perforated uterus. She underwent a D&C.

She developed infection, so doctors performed a hysterectomy. Their efforts were in vain.

Margaret left behind a husband and a one-year-old son.

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