to think that home pregnancy tests should be free and that all sexually active women should be encouraged to take one every month?

[darleneconnor]

So many benefits:

-women could take vitimins/folic acid asap to protect against defects
-no unplanned pregnancies could 'slip through the net' meaning fewer late abortions and unwanted babies
-women on certain meds could know to stop taking them earlier (also covers painkillers/alcohol/cigarettes)
-longer to plan for birth and baby/childcare/work

All this must cost more than the cost of providing £2 tests once a month?

I cant really see the benefits myself.
The majority of women know they are prg pretty early on or at least suspect it. The lack of a period and other symptoms see to that.

Plus if you are sexually active and not using contraception surely you would think pregancy was a possiblity every month?

Who needs to do a pg test every few weeks just in case?

I dont understand.

You used to be able to take a sample into the chemists and get it tested for free. Can you not do that anymore?

But encouraging women to do it every month is a bit of a waste of money.

Is this serious? It can't be. I hope its not, it makes no sense whatever.

I don't really see the point. I expect adults to be responsible for monitoring their their own fertility and sexual health. I don't understand why anyone should expect a free pregnancy test. I remember paying around £12 for one when I was pregnant with my oldest so to me they are ridiculously cheap anyway.

I don't get why the NHS should pay for them, you can buy them yourself for a pound!