Should Abortion be de-criminalised after 24 weeks?

I too was a Midwife and support your comment 100%

I agree with the latter part of your comment Lionel but can't agree with the first. How do you define low moral standards and why should abortion be addressed in tandem with morality? Your latter comment demonstrates your recognition that there is no clear distinction between right and wrong where abortion is concerned?

For many women the decision to have an abortion is very tough and yes, it can affect the rest of their lives. However, so can the effects of carrying a child for 9 months following rape and other forms of sexual abuse. Have you any idea of the psychological effects of this?

I'll take your second point first if I may. As a man there's much of womanhood I may not understand. That's how it should be. The external symptoms of a girl, or woman, carrying a rape sired child I may observe and sympathise, but I cannot empathise. In the same way, it required many years of tenderness before my first wife could tell me her history. Then the guilt of not speaking up before we were married hit and made her depression worse. It must be said, she was the product of an extremely legalistic Methodist Chapel in the north of England. She carried guilt for matters where no guilt attached.

So the answer to your question must be almost a no.

Your first point about morality. In view of people being feared of behaving in any way less than politically correct, in view of heightened sensitivities and certain laws relating to what may be published and what may not, I must decline to answer in detail.

However, you've been involved with the Health Service for a working lifetime. You must surely understand there are always consequences to wrong life decisions. Smoking, for instance, carries its own penalties as does excessive drinking. I could go on. But sexual promiscuity has its own unwanted consequences. I need not spell them out.

I believe, with some amount of conviction, the rise in abortion numbers, and STI infections, is a direct result of the general acceptance of a weak moral code promulgated by liberal thinkers. The need for an abortion does not stand in isolation, no, it is a consequence of an action.

And here stands the clear distinction between right and wrong.
We all have a conscience. That stands as the guardian of the soul. Crossing the boundaries of conscience will result in unwanted consequences. Some may be remedied but many may not. Valium does not address the underlying cause of depression. No, that's a spiritual matter and must be dealt with spiritually, and very carefully. Forgiveness is one of the sweetest things, but so few seek it.

Jean mark, please do not understand I am a religious man. I am not. But I am a deeply spiritual, compassionate man. As said, a one size fits all law will never work well. There must always be a place for compassion and understanding which cannot be defined in law.

My point about special cases in the context of this subject refers to this: a woman, or girl, who wilfully neglects herself and engages in promiscuity with the resulting consequences is not a special case. That is self inflicted. A woman, or girl, who is raped, or coerced/blackmailed, and faces the physical consequences is a special case and all compassion and urgency must be employed to restore her. Better than restore, re-form her so she may face life without guilt, without unwanted child and without any stigma.

I would add, where a woman's life is in danger if she carries a child to term, then an abortion is required and must be offered her. But abortion should never, not ever, be the ultimate form of contraception.

Very well put Lionel and I can not disagree with your reasoning. Thank you for such understanding.

I'm a relative stranger to online forums. Being very shy its easier for me to communicate anonymously.

But these forums have limitations. One may not see the writer, observe facial expressions or body language. One cannot hear the tone of voice used to make a point, or experience the intensity felt at that moment. One cannot enter into a persons conviction.

The written word is very cold, anonymous, unfeeling.

Furthermore, a long post is seldom read so thoughts must be condensed into fifty or perhaps a hundred words. On subjects such as abortion or the Junior Doctors this is impossible, the scope being so vast.

Please do pick up on anything I write. I'll very happily expand on the point.

Absolutely spot on Lionel. Abortion is being used as contraception and that is not acceptable.

Not sure I totally agree with that Pam. I do think its up to the mother and I do agree that 24 weeks should be the limit. In fact it should be a lot less in my opinion...maybe 16 weeks

It would be quite boring if we always agreed. I think free contraceptives should be available. Abortion should always be a last resort.

Hi Pam, I agree on both counts with you. the great thing about Great Britain is everyone here has got a different opinion and they are free to voice it! Image if we all lived in a place like North Korea!

Depends on the reason for the termination. Fetal anomaly scans are not performed before 18 weeks. There then may be other tests performed to confirm genetic abnormalities for example.

Free contraception is available at all Family Planning Clinics already and has been for years! The problem is getting women and men to use it and not resort to abortion as their method of contraception.

Alicia, try telling an eleven year old girl who has been raped and become pregnant as a result that she is a murderer. Such a situation would not be considered an extreme medical emergency. Neither would a ten year old who has become pregnant because of being abused by her father. Abortion is a very emotive subject and one law does not suit all situations.

Life is never that black and white. Women must have choice. Banning legal abortion just leads to more 'back street' abortions and worse outcomes for the women concerned.

I agree! I had to, as a student nurse 19 yeahs old, assist with abortions in Theatre. We were not given the choice that students have these days. Believe me if you witness an abortion-a murder no less-it stays with you for the rest of your days. Far too flippant these days regarding abortion, treating these babies as pieces of tissue to be disposed of.
If a baby is murdered you're all up in arms! Where's the difference from a helpless foetus in utero to a baby that has just been born?

You'll never be in the position to have to make that choice!