To think late-term abortion rules may need tightening up?

[FestiveNut]

Should people be able to abort healthy fetuses in a low risk pregnancy past 20 weeks gestation?

I read a very sad story concerning this earlier. I considered myself pro-choice in all circumstances but this thread has caused me to question that.

Should the threshold be lowered?

@JacquesHammer That's your opinion and you're entitled to it.

I also appreciate that women have different opinions on when a foetus becomes a baby. Some when it is first born, some at 28 weeks as is currently law. I think I personally see it as around 24-28 weeks.

Having said that, that is my opinion not everyone's, but I find it really difficult to put that opinion to the side, and not let it have a bearing on my view. I know this should noy be the case, and I can just choose not to abort late if I have a problem.with it. I just can't seem to separate my opinion from what I think I should be the law.

I am not proud of this fact, but I just cant feel ok with something I disagree with so profoundly for myself. I wish I could be, because I hate that it makes me.less pro choice and I genuinely want to be.

That's your opinion and you're entitled to it

Gosh how generous

Thank fuck where I live isn’t as backward

At week 23, a fetus is considered a baby in Denmark as it was previously 28, then 26 and now 23 as the viability of a premature has progressed throughout the years.

Viability only matters if the baby is a wanted pregnancy.

It shouldn’t be used as a tool to remove women’s rights.

The point is that I can only decide about my body and any abortion I might or might not choose to have. I have no right to decide about anyone else’s.

Nonsense. The baby has rights too. She/he has a body and a life. Murdering him/her is wrong. A woman's feelings don't matter more than the life of an unborn baby.

I think we will never agree because you only see it from the side if the woman and don't view the baby as a person, while I do. So perhaps this argument is pointless.

“A vanishingly small number of abortions take place after 24 weeks. And those are overwhelmingly in cases where the baby would be severely disabled or either the woman or the baby or both would not survive.”

Yes, because abortions after 24 weeks for non-medical reasons are currently illegal

My 1st baby was developing normally up until 19 weeks when my waters broke due to an incompetent cervix. After that point the lungs would not have developed and baby would have died in pain on an NICU. I terminated at 21 weeks.

The stigma around late term abortion is already there, the guilt will never leave me but I made the right decision for my son and my future fertility.

Any body who wishes to pass judgment has obviously never had to think about it personally.

This was at @JacquesHammer

It's a small number over 22 weeks though 0.1% in england and wales

@Makdives2006 I don't think anyone judges you for this as your baby would have died in agony.

I don't think many are against abortions for the health of the baby in cases like this.

So if only a small percentage commit an heinous act it’s ok and we shouldn’t worry?

Maldives2006 don't feel guilty you spared your baby days of pain. It was the humane decision and I am grateful we live in a country that allows you that choice.

You don’t need to “@“, I’m on the thread. It would be great if you wouldn’t please as I still get emails despite turning it off!

The baby has rights too. She/he has a body and a life. Murdering him/her is wrong. A woman's feelings don't matter more than the life of an unborn baby

Stop using such ridiculous emotive language. You can’t murder a 24 week old foetus.

And actually, yes the women does matter more. Otherwise we’re saying a woman is nothing more than an incubator.

JustABetterPlayer have you read Maldive2006 post. Are you really still happy with yourself for calling in a heinous act?

Jacques at 23 weeks perhaps, but many in this thread are advocating abortions up to full term for any reason which is quite frankly absurd.

No we do not need to tighten the law. It needs to be as early as possible, as late as necessary, for any or no reason.
You can’t simply pick and choose which rights you support. Access to abortion is not as simple as clicking your fingers. Doctors act as gate keepers, as do physical barriers to access. Women opting for late term abortions (excluding those who decide to do it after a devastating diagnosis) are likely to be the most vulnerable women in society. We need to ensure every women is given access

Don't pretend you have the moral highground when you think a 12 week foetus should be given more consideration than a born woman MamaDane. You would force a rape victim to carry a pregnancy to term and give it up because you think a 12 week foetus matters more than her. A non sentient, non viable rudimentary form of life matters more than a woman. And it isn't just 'feelings' but her physical and mental health, not to mention potential life long trauma you would force on her.

It’s a mother’s guilt which anybody would have

This is also a really shit thread to start so close to Christmas and you have added to the pain of the mothers and fathers who have made this decision so for this I thank
You

So are the life’s of my subsequent children not of value in the eyes of god

Maldives you shouldn’t feel any guilt. You made a decision out of love and kindness

I would personally like to see the limit increased to 28 weeks as it was before. For any reason whatsoever.

@maldives2006 I started it in response to something I read which caused me to rethink my previous stance. I wanted to discuss this with others and read their opinions. If you don't want to think about it, don't read the thread.