Why aren't you all FURIOUS?!

[NewNames]

And you thought the minister for women and equality was bad... Our HEALTH MINISTER wants to reduce the abortion time limit to 12 weeks!!!!

Front page of tomorrow's Times.

[NewNames]

fluffy Yes it is

[Sunnywithachanceofshowers]

Tests for a variety of conditions aren't available until 20 weeks of pregnancy. It makes no sense to change the current law.

[NewNames]

If only sense had anything to do with it sunny

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

Maybe some of us aren't FURIOUS because it's a discussion point, not an announcement. Plenty find abortion distasteful and regrettable. 26 weeks is quite wrong today and the debate needs to start somewhere.

[OrangeandGoldMrsDeVere]

I know what 3socks means
I agree.
Whilst I would hope that full term abortion never happens why is so appalling for one prenancy and just a bit sad (but for the best) for another?

These threads are always peppered with comments that are offensive to parents of disabled children and I expect that is why 3socks has posted.

None of it means that I am judging any woman who has to make the decision, that I am anti abortion or happy about full term abortions.

I am pro choice
I accept that every woman has to make a choice based on heat is best for them.

But perhaps this could be a thread where people were sensitive for a change?

[Iggly]

I agree TractionEngine. Gawd and people fall for it.

[OrangeandGoldMrsDeVere]

Your last post is a perfect example newname

A severely disabled child that might kill you?

Really?

[Iggly]

Cogito it's 24 weeks or later but only if other flcobditions are met.

[Zara1984]

He is a total nob jockey - surely he will have to stand down for this??? Regardless of a debate of whether it would/could/should be lowered to 20 weeks (it shouldn't), WTAF does he think will happen to genetic screening?! Why bother doing nuchal fold test FFS.

This just rages me more because I currently live in the Republic of Ireland and the lack of access to this basic health service makes me sick. You do not want this twatface minister pontificating about what HE thinks is "morally right" for women's bodies. He can fuck right off, and when he gets there, he can bloody well fuck off some more!!!



/end 37 week pregnant hormonal rant

[picnicbasketcase]

I don't understand about the disabled baby killing you at full term

[PacificDogwood]

I AM furious. For many reasons, some of which involve the govournment .

I don't think the 12 week limit will happen.
However, the trend from the States is terrifying .
I so hope that is one occasion where Britain will not follow, where the USofA are wanting to lead.

[Zara1984]

Yes some tests aren't available until 20 weeks. Also if nuchal fold wasn't available where you live in UK it would only be at 20 week scan you might get indicators for Downs.

Eg I had my mid-pregnancy scan at 21 weeks. If it was discovered baby had Edwards Syndrome (not compatible with life - baby dies before birth or shortly after), then with a 20 week abortion limit I would be out of time to make a decision.

[QuickLookBusy]

I can't stand the man but he has said this is his personal opinion. He isn't going to try to make it law.

[HondaJizz]

Time limits are not applicable if the baby is found to have abnormalities.

[Zara1984]

But quicklook it is highly irresponsible (at the very least) for the minister responsible for health to make such a divisive statement, which is not based on scientific evidence, on such an important women's health service.

This man has the power to start the ball rolling to change the law, THAT'S why it's right to be furious even if he is just voicing his opinion and doesn't plan to take things any further.

[threesocksmorgan]

op can you explain how a disabled baby could kill you if it goes to term, that post makes no sense at all.

[hmc]

12 weeks! 12 weeks!!!!!

[threesocksmorgan]

HondaJizz Sat 06-Oct-12 08:31:50
Time limits are not applicable if the baby is found to have abnormalities.

my point exactly
so there should be no time limit in any case

[DinosaursOnASpaceship]

I think as a lot of problems aren't picked up until 20 weeks then lowering the limit for abortion is wrong.

[needanswers]

I am not furious because it is simply his personal opinion and will never happen.

I am not comfortable with the current limit for a healthy foetus, in the case of severe disability I accept late abortions can and will need to happy.

That said, I would never support aborting a healthy foetus past 24 weeks, and I consider full term abortion, (excepting severe life threatening situations for child) nothing short of murder, I don't see the difference between killing the foetus in situ, and killing it outside of the womb.

If the health of the mother is at risk from delivery - well at that point, the baby has to be delivered one way or another regardless.

[QuickLookBusy]

Zara I agree with you. I was just making it clear that the govt are not making this law. I was trying to reassure people.

Teresa May had just been on Radio 4. She said the govt has no plans to change the law. That her personal opinion was the limit should stay as it is.

[mrsmoodypants]

When I first heard this on the news i was furious - had the same experience as zara described

I have then assumed that they mean the general level being reduced eg for unwanted pregnancies and that the rule for serious abnormalities would remain the same.....otherwise it's just total nonsense and wouldn't get passed in a million years.

[TooMuchRain]

Theresa May said her personal opinion was that the limit should be 20 weeks but she agreed with govt policy

[Zara1984]

mrsmoody I'm really sorry that happened to you

Unfortunately when fools like Jeremy Hunt open the hole on the front of the fact and let garbage tumble out, he doesn't think first about WHY the law is the way it is, and for people who have gone through the very difficult situation of a second trimester/post-20 week termination, and why they did it.

[Zara1984]

Hole on the front of his stupid unqualified-to-be-health-secretary face, I mean. Grr. Too angry to type properly!