Abortion rights under threat
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which is going through Parliament at the moment will be used by opponents of abortion to try to make it harder for women to get an abortion. In particular they will try to reduce the current 24 week time limit to 20 weeks or even lower. This is despite the fact that there is no scientific evidence for reducing the time limit for abortion and the hardship it would create for a small but significant minority of women.
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Inquiry which thoroughly investigated scientific developments relating to abortion concluded that there is no evidence on the grounds of foetal viability to reduce the upper time limit.
Medical organisations like the British Medical Association, the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) are all agreed that there is no evidence of a significant improvement in the survival of preterm infants below 24 weeksˇ¦ gestation, in the UK, in the last 18 years. This has been supported by 2 recent studies into the survival of extremely premature babies which both failed to find any significant improvement in the survival chances of babies born under 24 weeks although there were improvements in survival over 24 weeks. You can read more about these studies here and here
Brook and other organisations are very concerned that reducing the time limit would affect some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged women. Young women in particular are more likely to present late in their pregnancy.
1.45% of abortions take place between 20 to 24 weeks. This small group of women (of all ages) have later abortions for very good reasons, for instance:
- Not recognising they are pregnant because their periods are irregular or because their method of contraception causes their periods to be irregular or stop altogether.
- Poor sex education at school or at home may also mean some young women do not realise they are pregnant.
- Fear of the reaction of their parents or partners or fears about the confidentiality of services can deter some young women from seeking help until late in their pregnancy.
- Some women experience delays in being referred for an abortion by health professionals who do not declare a conscientious objection or face long waiting times for a hospital appointment.
- Changes in their circumstances such as splitting up with their partner, experiencing domestic violence, or losing their job can result in some women changing their mind about continuing with their pregnancy
- A diagnosis of severe foetal abnormality means some parents decide to terminate an otherwise wanted pregnancy. Scans for foetal anomalies are not carried out until around the 20th week of pregnancy and where potential anomalies are identified it can take several more weeks to confirm the diagnosis
The first debate on the Bill will take place on 12 May 2008. Votes on amendments to the Bill are expected to take place on 19 and 20 May 2008, including those to reduce the time limit for abortion from 24 to 20 weeks.
What can you do?
- Write a letter or email your MP before 19 May to ask them to support the 24 week time limit, click here for Abortion Rights' model letter and information on how to find your MP
- Support fpa's online petition
- Attend the emergency protest at the House of Commons on 20 May
Want to know more?
Read Voice for Choice's briefing on late abortion
Read the report of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into Scientific Developments Relating to the Abortion Act 1967
Read Brook's submission to the Committee
Follow the progress of the Bill here
