Two terms in the current debate need to be defined separately: Abortion - Termination of Pregnancy. The Pro-Life proponents, deniers of The Women's Right to Choose termination of pregnancy, will never engage on the latter definition : the term abortion suits them.
A work colleague had two abortions. She objected to the diagnosis on her medical certificate where her doctor stated Abortion. As her manager and with her permission, I questioned the term, he explained - I paraphase - " Abortion is the natural spontaneous expulsion of a developing foetus without external human interference.. unless it is procured - artificially brought about." Lay people use the term - a miscarriage... Abortion is a strictly medical term."
I believe the word Abortion is hijacked so as to avoid addressing Termination of Pregnancy. So long as this term is avoided, Abortion, rather than Termination of Pregnancy, dominates debate. Women are not seeking abortions but termination of pregnancy which is legal and their right.
I am a retired nurse and provided the conditions as set out in law are complied with, Termination of Pregnancy is a provision freely available in the NHS. Not so in Northern Ireland, where many laws are skewed by historic minority vested political interest. Thus Termination of Pregnancy proponents are prevented from making the case for the woman's right to choose. It is time to set aside the evocative, provocative term abortion.
In 1939, I was conceived, as a consequence of rape in Co. Tyrone N.I. A protestant sire - a catholic woman. My mother shamed and shunned in her catholic community was given money to flee N. I. and procure an abortion in London. She used the money to obtain accommodation. I was born prematurely in hospital. The Marie Stopes Charity put my mother in touch with a Charity The Crusade of Rescue - the rest is history. I live in Co. Fermanagh since 2000 and have never made contact with either side of my birth heritage. I support calls for a change in the law as it pertains currently in N. I. and support the women's right to choose - not an abortion but termination of pregnancy..