To want autonomy over my body.

[thebodydoestricks]

Aibu here. I am 50 but apparently still fertile.

I have 4 children already and do not want any more.

According to some posters if I fell pregnant but hadn't used at least 2 methods of contraception I should be denied the abortion I would most definatly want.

I would have to go before a panel of judges in a court to plead my case. They would judge whether I should have an abortion or not.

Of course if there was a back log of cases then I would have to wait and if it reached 24 weeks it would be too late anyway.

I would be forced to give birth.

Aibu to be absolutely stunned at this posters view in Britain 2014?

Well there is the problem, people only care about babies.

Not the 8 year old in a care home...

Question for the pro lifers: how much does religion influence your view?

I don't understand why pro lifers aren't spending their time campaigning for better services for abused children. There are children alive who are scared and suffering. Why the concern with the tiny foetuses that wouldn't survive outside the womb in front of the children in the world that can be actively helped?

The only answer I can have is that it is about controlling women. Where else can the logic take me?

And then I come to the fact that 50% of the foetuses that would be forced to be born would be female and doomed, in the pro lifers society, to being controlled and dictated to by society.

22honey what is your point about the drugs/drinking during pregnancy? I can't see how it is relevant tbh. Are you trying to get people to make a statement of judgement?

Well yes Anya, its not very nice is it and shows our society up for what it is, makes no difference whatsoever to the thread though!

I am not a pro lifer by the way I believe a woman should be able to get an abortion. The point is these same women advocating even late term abortion on the grounds its the womans body all the time the baby is inside her, must also accept this stance when it comes to pregnant women suffering from drug and alcohol addiction as its their body, and such 'pro lifers' have no place judging them either.

Pommerderre that's because they care about the cute babies. Once a woman has been forced to give birth that's it job done.

thebaby because throughout pregnancy the womans body is hers thus she can do whatever she likes with it/to it, including kill/abort the fetus AND consume drugs and alcohol if she wishes.

Im merely saying you cannot think one or the other without being a massive hypocrite. None of this means that I am a pro lifer or against abortion, so please dont try to make out that I am or put words in my mouth, as is common on mumsnet.

Alcohol and drug addiction are illnesses are they not?

"For those that believe that a woman should have the right to abort at full term without question do you also believe that a woman can abuse drugs and alcohol during their pregnancy without any repercussions?"

What repercussions are you talking about?

Name them and then you might get a response.

yes, yet still women who do such things are judged and torn down as immoral. When really it is their body and their choice (even though addiction isnt a choice therefore they should be afforded even more sympathy)...so why arn't they given more compassion and sympathy than someone choosing to abort because of some rather mundane reason like being unable to afford an extra holiday every year with a child?

Every woman should be allowed to do whatever they like during pregnancy without judgement, thats my point.

pomme because that would be useful I agree.

Forced birthers (not using pro life as it's been hijacked, I am pro life and pro choice) these people just want to dictate and control women. Not help.

22honey I just asked you to clarify your point... Keep your pants on!

I haven't seen anyone say anything that could be even slightly misconstrued as hypocritical...the only person talking about drink/drugs is you.

Lovesardines, it wasnt me who mentioned any repercussions. I was merely discussing moralizing and judgement.

22 have you been reading the same thread I am?! This whole thread is about the woman's right to bodily autonomy - her body, her choice. No one is arguing with you!

thebody, who agrees with forcing someone to give birth? Some people dont agree with late term abortions of healthy babies, in this case the woman would have to give birth if the baby was alive or dead!? So what difference does it make which one it is?

Drink, smoke, drugs, ect.

Do what you like while pregnant

huh?

What people who believe that women should have autonomy over their bodies, simultaneously believe that they shouldn't use drugs or alcohol?

That is not a position that I have seen pro-choice people take, given that it would be entirely illogical.

The people who believe that women and girls should not be allowed to smoke, drink, consume caffeine, attempt suicide etc etc when they are pregnant are the anti-abortion people. Some of them would like these restrictions extended to all females of child-bearing age.

You are barking up the wrong tree.

So what difference does it make which one it is?

Motherhood

22honey some posters on this thread advocate forcing women to give birth, and no abortion under (more or less) any circumstances.

swoopdewoop - to an extent these days. But I was pro-life long before I was a Christian. I wasn't brought up in a religious household, or one with pro-life beliefs (my mum disagrees with me on this).

What if people don't want to continue with a pregnancy? It doesn't matter what support there is, if it isn't wanted that's that.

The baby, your post is scary, I can't believe that!

Autonomy is autonomy.

No ifs or buts.

Women have just the same rights to abide their bodies as men. I would probably assume that it's better for such women to access abortions anyway but again that's their choice to make never ever mine or anyone else's.

Thankyou everyone.

I think unless you have been in the position you really dont know what you would do.

I made some decisions in those two weeks that I never dreamt id make, especially the induction.

When it came down to it I had decide what was best for my health, my unborn son and my 16, 8 and 6 month old children.

And you know what? If it means a small minority of women will have lots of terminations or some will decide later on that actually they dont want a baby anymore. I can live with that, because people like me and baby and everyone else should have the right to choose what happens with our bodies and our babies.

Thanks for answering namechange. I'm pro choice but went to a catholic school and have only seen the debate in those terms ie life is a gift and must be cherished etc, and yes, even to the detriment of the mother, 'because she's had her life' and naturally heaven will be waiting. Of course the notion of 'original sin' made it vital for the child to survive long enough to be baptised.

I was told that in primary one or two and I consider that to be nothing short of brainwashing.

Sorry, bit of a derail but part of the wider conversation.

'Forcing women to give birth ' is a loaded and illogical phrase.Birth is the default outcome of pregnancy so nobody is forcing anything, they are witholding an unnatural medical intervention.
Anyway I have reported this thread as it is a thread about a thread, and has twisted poster's views from the original