to think they would feel differently if they had children?

[Violetbeauregardesgum]

Just reflecting that the three most vehemently pro-abortion, abortion on demand up till 40 weeks women I know are all child free. Was talking to one the other day and was taken aback by how uncompromising she was. The 32 week old baby that the woman was imprisoned for aborting was not a baby, all women have the right to end a pregnancy at any point.

I am pro choice but think the 24 week cut off is about right. AIBU to think they would feel differently if they had gone through a pregnancy to term themselves?

It's like wack-a-mole round here these days

It's as simple as this for me too.

It is pretty normal. The mantra of 'as late as necessary' is very much a Mumsnet thing. The recent case the op is referring to was discussed widely on social media and the vast majority thought what she did was wrong. Mumsnet is quite extreme on this I think.

It's ok to have this view when you're talking about a faceless woman - I doubt many would be happily waving their daughter-in-law off to the abortion clinic to abort their healthy 39 week grandchild.

We don't have total bodily autonomy and nor should we really.

I think you're way off. The most vehemently pro-choice woman I know is my close friend, who had a premature baby born at 29+5 weeks (he's a thriving 6 year old now!). We discussed it at length after the recent abortion conviction and she was horrified that the poor woman had been prosecuted, and believes strongly that abortion should be to term.

Her views haven't changed a jot since she had a very prem baby.

Actually they do feel pain, there are studies to prove it. I've birthed 3 babies and I'm pro choice until viability outside the womb. After the pregnancy becomes viable I believe adoption should be the only choice if you don't want to raise the child yourself. Abortion after viability should only be for danger to life. I personally would never have an abortion due to my circumstances, or the circumstances that resulted in the pregnancy. That's my personal view. I don't judge others on theirs.

God, so many mothers who purport to be absolutely ok with ending the life of a viable baby who could live outside its mother's womb independently. I'm going to tell myself that it's ignorance driving your stance because the alternative is disturbing, and that you don't fully understand what's involved in ending a pregnancy at this stage.

Ok just stop now, with this patronising condescending BS. You've stated your opinion, which you're entitled to. Stop being so incredulous that other women have a different opinion to you, and respect that that's their opinion, and not driven by ignorance. And no, you don't need to be a mother yourself one's opinion on abortion to be valid. Good god.

👏👏👏

The point is, it isn't my body. How I would or wouldn't feel is irrelevant.

I am surprised that anyone who has gone through a pregnancy would think it ok to terminate a healthy baby beyond 30 weeks or so.*

I agree OP

My twins were born at 34 weeks. I'll never think it's acceptable to abort past 24 weeks and having spent time in NICU around 23 weekers I think the limit should be reduced to 20 weeks

Disagreeing with someone's choice and wanting the government to step in to prevent that choice are two very different concepts! Prolife people always argue on moral grounds when it's actually a legal issue.

After having my own children OP I agree with you. Once a baby can survive outside the womb I don't think it is in any way right to terminate. I was very strongly pro abortion at any stage before.

I have always been vehemently pro choice. I had a baby 3 weeks ago who I adore, he’s hands down the best thing that ever happened to me and I’m so thankful he’s a happy, healthy, wanted baby born out of love in a stable relationship between me and DH and thank goodness we’re in a financially stable place to give him everything he needs and deserves without worrying. HOWEVER - Being pregnant has made me even more cemented in my
pro choice views. It’s hard even with all the aforementioned factors being in good shape. Imagine not having that support
or it being an unwanted pregnancy or worrying throughout the whole pregnancy. I wouldn’t change my baby boy for the world but my views on abortion and peoples choices have strengthened after having him - no one and I mean no one should be forced to go through that!!

I'm pro choice up to the point that a baby could reasonably survive well outside the womb.

For the people saying variations on the above, what is your definition of "reasonably" and "well"? What level of extreme medical intervention is included in that? What level of disability is included in "well"? This is not an exact science.

I disagree OP. I am a mother and I am massively pro choice.

In my view there seems to be a false dichotomy floating around where a foetus is either killed or carried to term. Why, in the (extremely rare) case where a woman who is 28+ weeks pregnant for whatever reason no longer wishes to be pregnant and does not want the child, is there not provision for the child to be delivered and transferred to NICU and the responsibility of a fostering service? Is it ideal for the baby? Of course not, but I think most people would consider it a fair bit better than being killed.

She will have to give birth regardless, what a stupid point to make.

Same.

Agree. To those saying 'as late as necessary' where exactly is your cut off point? Just before birth? 32 weeks? It's a fully formed baby, just small. I remember the horror of reading of China during its one child policy and babies there having injections into their fontanelle as they were being delivered. Is that acceptable here, now? When you want a child, you say 'I'm expecting a baby'. When you don't, 'I'm terminating a pregnancy'.
Yes. Horrible to become pregnant when you don't want a baby (it's happened to lots of us) - but there's a really good method of preventing conception - you can choose to be sterilised. My body - my choice. So that's when you choose - not when you are carrying a thumb sucking mini child.

This is ridiculous. Something a man would say who considers pregnancy in the abstract.

Same. I’m even more pro-choice now I’ve been through pregnancy, birth and parenting.

🤷 I'm a woman with two children, one of whom was born premature. It sounds sensible to me.

What's ridiculous about it?

I had an abortion very late (22 weeks) back when I was 19 & I do not regret it at all. I have children now but I don’t think twice about it honestly. Women have to make the choices they do based on lifestyle, I have zero regrets as I wouldn’t have the lifestyle I have now

I have 2 DC and my view is as early as possible, as late as necessary.

You're not pro-choice, but that's ok!!

And the baby’s body? Whether she likes it or not, she will be forced to give birth even if she kills it.

People who say late term abortion is so rare it should be allowed as the mother must be crazy/unwell to do it. Do you feel the same about the mother killing the baby once she’s given birth? Should that also be ok as it’s rare? Maybe all women should be allowed to kill their babies because women’s choice.

If a woman wanted to bear a child and adopt out, she would. Abortions are about terminating the pregnancy.