Unplanned - Abortion Film **Trigger Warning** Title edited by MNHQ sensitive content*

[Mum2386]

Hi,
Last night I watched a film called Unplanned, which is based on a true story of a lady working within an abortion clinic called ‘Planned Parenthood’. The film itself brought me to tears on many occasions and it’s made me feel very uncomfortable surrounding abortion. I had an unplanned pregnancy with my third child but knew abortion wasn’t an option for me. I am quite shocked by the amount of abortions that still take place within our society. Does anyone else feel this way? I know we all have different views but i just wondered what other people’s thoughts were on this very sensitive topic.

Apparently, we in the UK perform more abortions than anywhere else in the world.

I feel that some of the unplanned pregnancies could have been avoided (I said some, not all because we all know accidents happen); in days gone by people would wear 'a belt and braces' to avoid pregnancy because abortion wasn't an option for the majority. Now everyone knows they can abort legally.

Nobody likes the idea of abortion but, frankly, I wouldn't change the law. Women are entitled to have the choice. Most terminations take place before 12 weeks gestation, late, partial birth, abortions must be very traumatic but they are very rare.

I'll try to find the film, 'Unplanned', and see what I think after watching.

The film was made based on the disputed memoirs of an anti-choice activist. It isn’t a neutral piece, it’s designed to make you anti-choice.

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/28/unplanned-review-anti-abortion-propaganda-is-a-gory-mess

You can’t voice anti abortion views. I have previously as I am vehemently against abortion and Mumsnet kindly suspended me for having an opinion.

All I can say now is

🌹

PS, whilst looking for the film I found this article:
www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/28/unplanned-review-anti-abortion-propaganda-is-a-gory-mess

Here's a trailer:
www.christiancinema.com/digital/movie/unplanned-the-abby-johnson-story

Why are you shocked? What is shocking about an abortion really? The vast majority of women have them in the first 8 weeks so it isn’t even a foetus yet, it’s the size of a seed and is literally just a cluster of cells. The woman doesn’t want a baby at that time in her life for a whole host of reasons so she hasn’t what is basically a late period, problem solved.

I really don’t find abortion shocking, worrisome or negative in any way. I would much prefer a woman have five abortions than five children she cannot raise. The opposite of legal abortion is forced pregnancy or illegal abortion, neither are realities I want to witness.

@Soola

As is your right to be anti choice. You don't have to have one. What's your issue?

Anti abortion can only mean one thing - forced birth. How can it be any different?

Rather than being 'shocked' with the amount of abortions that occur, how about being shocked with the lack of contraception access and education that this implies and doing something to try and change it?

Well said, GibbonLover.

Btw, the film is on youtube. I might watch later.

To be honest, I have never given much thought on abortion, even though I had an unplanned pregnancy myself through failed contraception, it didn’t occur to me as an option. I understand the failed contraception side of things, what I don’t understand is where we have contraceptives readily available, then why are the rates still high. Is it right to use abortion as a back-up method, or do we take the view that sex can result in a pregnancy and the parents should take responsibility in the event that happens. I haven’t based my views on watching this film but have since reflected on this and it does sit uncomfortable for me. I know not everyone will share the same view, I was just wondering what others thoughts were on this sensitive topic.

I dont see it as a sensitive topic, since you've said it twice when there was no need. Basically it's none of yours or anyone elses business what woman do with an unwanted pregnancy. Abort, don't abort. It's your choice. Teach your kids how to protect themselves and how to keep your gob shut if they ever end up in that situation.

Monmerci - 22 days after conception the babies heart starts to beat, which is the first sign of life. So from that time onwards having an abortion you are terminating that life of the fetus, this is the bit I struggle with personally.

gamerchick - You sound lovely!
It’s a discussion and just as you’ve had your opinion and clearly it’s annoyed you that I have a different view, then maybe you shouldn’t comment if you have nothing constructive to say. It may not be sensitive to you but may be to others, don’t assume everyone thinks the same as you!

Your views are pretty clear. You don't want a discussion.

The heartbeat you are referring to isn't a true heartbeat, it's cardiac cells starting to work. This is the nonsense that the 'heartbeat law' in the states wants you to swallow - it's emotive and scientifically illiterate.

A film showing brutal close ups of women in dire circumstances giving birth to children they can't afford and who may not be safe would be a pretty hard watch too, don't you think?

That’s ok OP - if you don’t like abortions, don’t have one. Its not your body, not your uterus.

If your heart bleeds too much, you can of course step up to adopt the living ones in care who were born into abusive and neglectful homes.

I'm not annoyed, I did roll my eyes a smite as I do with everyone who would love to take woman's choice away and I'll comment where I like thankyou.

I might look at this film. Lots of blood scenes in it. Sounds like my kind of film even if it does have a wanky review

Are you going to help raise all the unwanted children? Pay for their upbringing? Adopt some?

Serious questions

My thoughts - Don't dictate to others what they can do with their bodies!

I have very complicated feelings around the issue of abortion but you aren't really permitted to voice anything on MN other than "as early as possible as late as necessary for any reason up until birth" which very much goes against my own personal beliefs. By today's standards I could not fully identify as being fully pro-choice or pro-life.

I am not saying I will dictate what other women do with their bodies, it’s the moral part that’s uncomfortable for me.
No I wouldn’t be responsible for every person who chooses not to abort, it is not my responsibility it is that of a consenting adult and one that understands that having sex can result in a pregnancy, we are each responsible for our own actions and know of consequences that may occur. Maybe abortion has become too reliant upon and as it stands is used as a safety net, when it shouldn’t.

@Soola, you would not have been banned for having an opinion.

You would have been banned for how you voiced that opinion, and the language you used towards others.

@Mum2386 we are each responsible for our own actions and know of consequences that may occur

And they deal with those consequences in the way they see fit. Which fits in with their life at that time. Dependent on many factors that you, I and the rest of the world know nothing about have no business knowing.

Please don't think you're speaking for the whole of the UK when you say everyone can get an abortion legally. It is illegal in Northern Ireland. You may be shocked by the number of abortions in GB but think about the other side of the coin and if you lived in NI you wouldn't have that choice.