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Original poster

Abortion threads

37 replies

ModerateOrGoodOccasionallyPoor · 07/07/2025 09:11

Is it me, or are there a suspiciously excessive number of abortion threads lately?

They always seem to follow a bit of a formula as well. Long backstory of how accidental pregnancy happened, insistence that there was genuinely no desire to get PG, complicated relationship or lifestyle issues, loads of reasons why having the baby would be a massive spanner in the works, the OP often says she knows she should probably terminate but then asks 'what should I do?' There is often some sort of added dilemma or complication attached as well, such she's already got loads but it's her partner's only child and he wants to keep it, or he's recently widowed, or she is, or it's twins, or she's found out really late, or, or.

It's always a new user name and often not much engagement from the OP on the thread, past the initial post or a few posts dropped in just to keep the thread going.

I've been around for years and years and I've never seen as many of these threads as I'm seeing lately. There are new ones daily, it seems. What's the rub?

OP posts:
Original poster
ModerateOrGoodOccasionallyPoor · 07/07/2025 09:43

LlynTegid · 07/07/2025 09:33

There was a vote in the House of Commons on the matter, was it three weeks ago. There were the comments by Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver. So no wonder it has generated debate.

Starting a genuine debate about the vote is perfectly fine. We are grown ups. We can have that debate. But does it really have to ellicited under the guise of a ficticious 'real life' dilemma several times a day by 'new' posters?

If you want to discuss what is or isn't acceptable in different scenarios or at different stages of gestation then just do that. Don't concoct elaborate stories to start the debate.

OP posts:
SumUp · 07/07/2025 09:41

Yes thank you for articulating something I had noticed too.

Perhaps if we flag these posts to Mumsnet, they can respond with a standard post that says something like:

“Sorry to hear that you’re in this situation. Please make sure you access counselling from a reputable provider.”

And perhaps some useful links could be added for UK based Mumsnetters.

The most useful thing someone in this situation can do for themselves is to access support from a professionally trained, accredited counsellor.

Original poster
ModerateOrGoodOccasionallyPoor · 07/07/2025 09:37

God knows MN is full of 'content creator' written, fake posts carefully crafted to generate traffic, divide opinion and lead to long running threads where there is little involvement from the OP once the touchpaper has been lit. They are predictably easy to spot and always under a new user name. But this subject in particular seems to be a bit of an obsession for someone. Or an orchestrated group of people with an agenda.

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 07/07/2025 09:33

There was a vote in the House of Commons on the matter, was it three weeks ago. There were the comments by Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver. So no wonder it has generated debate.

CurlewKate · 07/07/2025 09:32

Yep. I posted something similar a couple of days ago. It’s incredibly worrying. Rights are hard won and easily lost.

funinthesun19 · 07/07/2025 09:31

Yes I’ve noticed it too. I think when one poster posts about it, it must trigger another poster to think up a thread about it too to wind people up.

Original poster
ModerateOrGoodOccasionallyPoor · 07/07/2025 09:24

LavenderBlue19 · 07/07/2025 09:21

Yup, I've noticed this too. Like they're testing the public reaction to different scenarios.

Yes, that is EXACTLY it.

OP posts:
LavenderBlue19 · 07/07/2025 09:21

Yup, I've noticed this too. Like they're testing the public reaction to different scenarios.

TheAutumnCrow · 07/07/2025 09:20

Absolutely spot on, OP.

Many years ago I asked MNHQ if they would delete reported posts that accused women who had, or were having, a perfectly legal medical procedure of ‘murder’ or ‘killing’, and MNHQ said yes they would.

I wish there could be a stickied post from MNHQ to this effect at the top of every thread about abortion, reminding posters that this is a UK-based site and that abortion is a perfectly legal medical procedure here; and that false equivalencies with crimes of violence will be neither welcome nor tolerated.

Darragon · 07/07/2025 09:19

Yes and in quite a few of them the OP says she's a Christian, I've noticed. There's a definite "formula".

Spotthering · 07/07/2025 09:16

Yes I was thinking the same. There’s been quite a few recently.

Sakura7 · 07/07/2025 09:14

I've noticed this too, it's very odd.

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