Is it illegal not to have maternity care? Struggling friend

[Sasha75]

Hi
I'm posting in regards to a friend. She is 20 and 30 weeks pregnant, has not told anyone apart from me and the babies father (who does not have an interest) when she was 8 weeks pregnant she went to the abortion clinic and had a scan to confirm dates which proved she was 8 weeks (hence how she knows her dates) but it was just a consultation and she was supposed to book an appointment for the actual abortion but never did. I tried to help and I asked her her intentions but she refused to speak about it, there was nothing I could do.

I'm really worried for her and this child as her mental health is not great and she has self harmed in the past and attempted suicide several times (all before she was pregnant) her parents basically gave up on her when she was 16 and she is living on her own in shared accommodation with next to no family so no one I can ask to help her.

She hasn't had any scans or any care and I'm starting to get worried about what she's going to do when In 7-10 weeks she gives birth. I have asked her what she plans to do and she just acts like it will be ok, I don't know if she plans to go in to hospital or to just do it herself?

I have advised her to go to the maternity hospital and state she's pregnant but she's worried she will be in trouble as she has kept it secret and away from medical help or scans for 30 weeks

Phew! That's a positive update. How is your friend doing now?

I'm glad she's been, she'll be n the radar now so they'll follow up with her. You are a very good friend.

Well done Sasha.

I hope your friend and her baby are doing ok.

Actually she can just show up at a hospital in labor no she doesn't have to be booked I hardly had any prenatal care with my first son due to personal reasons because it's not required by law I went into labor and called an ambulance and have birth at the hospital no issue some women can go there entire pregnancy without prenatal care and be just fine so your actually wrong

Why would you resurrect this after five years!

It’s not illegal, no. The only legal part is registering the birth. However it will trigger a referral to Children’s Services as it’s one of the criteria. Doesn’t necessarily mean they will get involved (although based the info in you post they will likely want to do an assessment at the very least - social worker here).

@Percylulu27 that’s really annoying. Why would you search for a thread, 5 years old, and comment on it?!

ZOMBIE THREAD!!!!!