Rupture and Continuity: Abortion, the Medical Profession, and the Transitional State—A Polish Case Study

Abstract Taking Poland as a case study, this article examines the sociological and historical-institutional factors that determine relationship between process of medical professionalisation reproductive rights in transitional societies. Focusing on three periods Polish history, (a) Partition era (1772–1918), (b) Second Republic (1918–1939), (c) post-war period (1945–1989), it identifies ruptures continuities have shaped development profession its attitude towards abortion care today. Using insights from feminist historical institutionalism, studies, sociology professions, applies concept ‘dialectical transformations’ to explain institutional policy reproduction change over time. It shows how professional legal institutions are often transferred one systemic context another by individuals or organisations whose positions move opposition dominance. Understanding such processes is especially important light retrenchment across globe.