How Did Vera Drake Perform Abortions? The Real Methods Explained

The film Vera Drake shows a woman in 1950s London helping other women end unwanted pregnancies. The methods she uses are grounded in the reality of backstreet abortion before the 1967 Abortion Act. Vera Drake performs abortions using a simple medical technique: she inserts a catheter into the uterus to stimulate a miscarriage, relying on equipment that was discreet and easy to obtain at the time. This article explains exactly how that method worked, what tools were involved, and why it was the standard approach for illegal providers like her.

The Catheter Method: The Core Technique

The primary method Vera Drake uses in the film is known as the “catheter method” or “syringe method.” It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through the cervix and into the uterus. The catheter is then used to introduce a solution, typically soapy water or a mild antiseptic, into the uterine cavity. This irritates the lining of the uterus, causing it to contract and expel its contents, including the embryo or fetus.

This technique was widely used by illegal abortion providers in the mid-20th century because it required no surgical incision and could be performed quickly in a private home. The catheter was often a rubber or latex tube, similar to those used for urinary drainage, and the syringe was a standard glass or metal model. The entire procedure took only a few minutes, which made it practical for a woman like Vera, who worked as a cleaning lady and visited clients in their own homes.

Equipment and Tools Used

Vera Drake’s equipment was minimal and easily concealed. She carried a small bag containing the necessary items, which were ordinary household or medical supplies that would not raise suspicion.

• Catheter: A flexible rubber tube, about 10-15 cm long, with a rounded tip to avoid injury. These were available from pharmacists without a prescription in the 1950s.
• Syringe: A large glass syringe, often 20-50 ml in capacity, with a metal plunger. It was used to draw up the solution and inject it through the catheter.
• Solution: A mixture of warm water and soap, or a dilute antiseptic like Dettol. Soap was preferred because it was readily available and caused reliable irritation.
• Towels and basin: For cleanup and to manage any bleeding or fluid leakage after the procedure.
• Disinfectant: Surgical spirit or iodine to clean the catheter and the woman’s genital area before insertion.

Vera did not use anaesthetics, speculums, or dilators. The procedure relied on manual skill and the woman’s tolerance for discomfort. The catheter was inserted by feel, guided by the cervix’s position, which required experience to avoid perforating the uterus.

The Procedure Step by Step

The process Vera Drake follows in the film matches historical accounts of backstreet abortions The National Archives (UK). Here is a typical sequence of steps:

1. Preparation: The woman lies on a bed or table with her knees bent and legs apart. Vera washes her hands and cleans the woman’s genital area with disinfectant.
2. Catheter insertion: Vera gently inserts the catheter through the cervix and into the uterus. This is the most delicate part; if done too forcefully, it can cause injury. She uses her fingers to guide the tube.
3. Solution injection: She attaches the syringe to the catheter and slowly injects the soapy water or antiseptic solution into the uterus. The volume is small, usually 10-30 ml.
4. Removal: She withdraws the catheter and places a towel between the woman’s legs to catch any fluid or blood.
5. Aftercare: Vera advises the woman to rest and expect cramping and bleeding within a few hours. She often returns later to check on her or provides instructions to call if complications arise.

The solution irritates the uterine lining, triggering contractions that expel the pregnancy. This usually happens within 12 to 24 hours, though it can be faster or slower depending on the woman’s body and the stage of pregnancy.

Risks and Complications

The catheter method carried significant risks, which the film does not shy away from. Without sterile equipment or proper medical training, infection was a common and dangerous complication. The soapy solution could cause chemical irritation or enter the bloodstream, leading to septic shock. Incomplete abortion, where some tissue remains in the uterus, could cause heavy bleeding and require hospital treatment.

Perforation of the uterus was another risk if the catheter was inserted too far or at the wrong angle. This could damage nearby organs like the bowel or bladder. Many women who survived these procedures suffered long-term health problems, including chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The 1950s had no antibiotics for routine use, so infections were harder to treat than today.

Why This Method Was Common

The catheter method was widespread among illegal abortion providers for several practical reasons. It required no special premises; a woman’s own bedroom was sufficient. The tools were cheap and legal to own. A catheter and syringe could be bought at any chemist without raising suspicion, as they were used for legitimate medical purposes like enemas or ear syringing.

The procedure also left no visible marks on the body, unlike surgical methods that required cutting or scraping. This made it easier for women to hide the abortion from family or employers. For providers like Vera, who saw their work as helping women in distress, the method was seen as relatively safe compared to more dangerous alternatives like inserting knitting needles or drinking toxic substances.

Legal and Social Context

In 1950s Britain, abortion was illegal under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which made it a crime to “procure a miscarriage” by any means. The penalty could be life imprisonment. Despite this, illegal abortions were common. The National Archives notes that thousands of women sought backstreet abortions each year, often from women like Vera who operated within their own communities The National Archives (UK).

Vera Drake’s method was typical of the “working-class” abortion network, where trust and word-of-mouth were essential. She did not charge for her services, which distinguished her from profit-driven providers. Her technique was the same as many others, but her motivation was compassion, not money. The film uses her story to highlight the moral dilemmas of the law and the risks women took to control their fertility.

How the Method Compared to Other Illegal Abortions

Not all illegal abortions used the catheter method. Some providers used surgical instruments like dilators and curettes to scrape the uterus, which was more dangerous and required greater skill. Others used herbal remedies like pennyroyal or quinine, which could poison the woman. The catheter method was considered one of the safer options because it did not involve cutting or toxic substances.

However, it was still unsafe by modern standards. Today, a legal abortion using vacuum aspiration or medication is far safer and has a lower complication rate than any historical method National Health Service (NHS). The 1967 Abortion Act in England, Scotland, and Wales made safe abortions legal, dramatically reducing the number of deaths from illegal procedures. Vera Drake’s methods, while well-intentioned, belonged to a time when women had few safe choices.

Key Takeaways

• Vera Drake performed abortions using the catheter method, inserting a rubber tube into the uterus and injecting soapy water to trigger a miscarriage.
• Her equipment was minimal: a catheter, a glass syringe, soap solution, and towels, all easily obtained in the 1950s.
• The procedure carried risks of infection, heavy bleeding, and uterine perforation, and was not sterile.
• This method was common among illegal providers because it was simple, discreet, and required no special facilities.
• The legal context of the time made all abortions a crime, forcing women to seek dangerous alternatives.
• Modern legal abortion is much safer than any historical method, and anyone needing an abortion today should consult a licensed healthcare provider.