Just wanted to say that i don't think abortion is at all an easy option as all the women i know who had one have never really forgiven themselves even (and especially) after having had more children. Having said that i think abortion is here to stay and if they change the law there will only be the situation as before with illegal and unsafe backstreet abortions being carried out.
dizzy

As someone who is 16 weeks pregnant and counting the days until my 20 week anomaly scan so that my husband are a little more confident that everything is ok I totally agree that the 24 week limit should remain and am glad that that was the outcome of this weeks vote. I know that should all not be ok at the 20 week then my husband and I are going to have to think very long and hard about our next steps and so are grateful to have the time needed.

I think the argument to lower the limit will encourage people to take responsibility is bull. No body whether at 6 weeks or 24 weeks will ever make that decision lightly and to suggest that they would is an insult.

I agree that it's very sad that the UK has such high abortion levels and it's certainly nothing to be proud of but until sex education is prioritized then unfortunately I can not see that this is going to change.

Well done Dory for your comments!!

This is such an emotive subjects and we will all have different viewpoints but I have read this thread and some really good points have been made. Although I'm not pro or anti abortion I really do believe that women should have a choice - their choice. I had thought that 24wks should be lowered - I help to moderate on another forum for parents of premature babies and we see babies born at 23/24wks - yes they are mirable babies BUT, as already pointed out, some of these babies are still on oxygen 24/7 months down the line, developmental and behavioural problems etc etc...I could go on! The point made about the anomoly scan being carried out somewhere between 20-22 weeks is a very valid point. If a congenital defect is discovered at this point then it doesn't give much time for couples to consider their options if abortion limits were lowered even further. My heart is saying it should be lowered but my head is saying that things should stay as they are.
xxx

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Karen
Starting access course Sept 08 (hopefully!!)