Abortion Time Limit

Paddy Ann...I don't feel I am wrong at all. I wasn't speaking about people who HAVE to abort for medical reasons and was talking generally about people seeking late abortions for social reasons. OK I get what you are all saying....its the mother's choice but yes, I do know of nurses who have had to witness late abortions - and been traumatised by the fact the babies were actually breathing ..... But that is not the issue. I do think the limit should be reduced. If I am in the minority, so be it but don't suggest I have no knowledge or empathy because you don't know anything about me. And YES, I have also witnessed a doctor saying a baby would not survive and suggested termination ...but the baby DID survive and grew up strong and healthy!

I don't want to get into any arguments about it but as I said, I can see what the OP is getting at even if you don't agree.

PS PaddyAnn....I normally agree with you

To be honest bluegal I've never heard of anyone having a late abortion for "social reasons" as far as I'm aware the cut off is around 15 weeks ,thats after the 12 week scan for abnormalities.MOST abortions take place before 12 weeks and thats what the records say.Any that are as late as 20 weeks or more are for severe medical reasons only .

Surely every abortion performed unless it is a guarantee that the mother or child would die during the birth comes under the heading of 'social reasons' in its broadest sense?

Ok Paddyann...I guess I am thinking of the minority that do go for late abortions because the law says its o.k. up till 24 weeks - Abortion Act 1967. In 1967 a fetus was not deemed as viable but with modern technology, it now is. It depends whether you believe a fetus has any rights at all I guess?

I don't think anyone should be made to continue with an unwanted pregnancy, but then as you say most do something about it well before 24 weeks.

If, anyone leaves it so late i think an abortion should only be carried out if there are medical issues and the mother is at risk t.b.h.

But there goes the question of whether you believe the baby is a person already or just a non entity until it enters the world?

As I said - a very emotive issue. I am not asking for people to agree with me. Just not to assume I have no idea what I am talking about.

I will leave it there hon....no wish to fall out with anyone.

I think that IS the law already ,late abortions are only carried out in extreme circumstances ,certainly not as an alternative to contraception or because the mother cant afford/doesn't want to continue with the pregnancy.The law works well as it stands ,I believe it should be left alone.Just as an aside I have never had or considered a termination...I have had miscarriages some at 7 weeks ,some later and a neonatal death .All were a heartbreak whether viable or not.We invest so much into a pregnancy and I simply dont believe that most women who terminate their pregnancies do it lightly ...but I do think they must have the choice

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Thank you.

Here is a situation that doesn't currently exist but could if abortion laws changed. Back in 1945 my mother very nearly died and my sister very nearly died during her birth and my sister was pretty frail for a while afterwards. Five years – and one (natural) miscarriage – later my mother was back in hospital a few weeks prior to her due date to deliver me. My father, arriving at visiting time, was wheeled off to a private room where he was asked if he wanted his wife's life saved or the baby's life saved, if "push came to shove", as it were. In fact, we both survived an emergency Caesarean section but it was touch and go and no father or mother should be put through that. If matters were that serious – and they were – they should have had the option earlier, but this was the 1950s. That we all lived was mostly down to luck, good genes and wonderful hospital care but my sister and I came very close to having no mother and my father came very close to having to raise two daughters on his own. I am glad to be alive and I have tried to live a good life, my lovely Mum also survived and she did live a good life, but I think it would have been right for my parents – both parents – to have had the choice, given my mother's obstetric history, earlier than just a few days before I was due.

My dgm told me that when my dm went into labour in 1946 ( my birth) she told the GP ( who was RC) that she wanted none of ‘that nonsense’ if there were a problem and that her dd’s survival was to be put above that of the baby’s

I wouldn’t sign for ten weeks. That’s too low. But I’m inclined to feel a reduction is needed. I lost a baby at 26 weeks. I was told he would die shortly after his birth and I should be prepared to hear him cry. Luckily the doctor gave me an injection which knocked me out so I never knew. I was told he was perfect. This was 45 years ago and the hospital only had one incubator which was already occupied.

Now, with modern help babies regularly survive well before 24 weeks. Perhaps the law could be amended to ensure that abortions are only in really exceptional circumstances as Paddyann has stated mostly happens now.

Interested to know what you mean by horrified by circumstances of late abortion? Like discovering your baby has a huge health problem maybe? I used to be a midwife and have performed 20wk abortions for 'gross abnormality of fetus'. I would never support your stance and would actively oppose it.

The law of England& Wales states that the mother's life is to be saved if there is a direct conflict between saving mother or baby.