Is abortion a crime in England if you don't have a valid reason?

MissBlacksheep · 2023-03-18T12:40:51+00:00

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40418986.amp I read this article today. It says you should have a valid reason to abort. What if you don't want any children at all- won't they give you an abortion?

HistoryFanatic · 18/03/2023 17:21

Only if over 24 weeks.

Original poster

MissBlacksheep · 19/03/2023 09:06

HistoryFanatic · 18/03/2023 17:21

Only if over 24 weeks.

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Did you read the article though? BBC can't be wrong, can they?

OP posts:

PazzyPaz · 19/03/2023 10:51

Ignore that. The media like to make people panic.

Not wanting children is a valid reason.

I'm about to terminate my pregnancy and the lady who assessed me was lovely.
They don't really care so much about the reason, but more that you're certain and you feel that you're making the right choice.

Original poster

MissBlacksheep · 19/03/2023 18:55

PazzyPaz · 19/03/2023 10:51

Ignore that. The media like to make people panic.

Not wanting children is a valid reason.

I'm about to terminate my pregnancy and the lady who assessed me was lovely.
They don't really care so much about the reason, but more that you're certain and you feel that you're making the right choice.

Thanks for replying. If you don't mind me asking, are you aborting because you don't want children? Is this your first abortion? Sorry if I am being intrusive.

OP posts:

Original poster

MissBlacksheep · 19/03/2023 18:58

Even in this website which I think is an abortion clinic, they say 2 doctors need to agree on the abortion. See under, "is abortion legal"
www.bpas.org/abortion-care/considering-abortion/abortion-faqs/

OP posts:

PazzyPaz · 19/03/2023 19:11

Yeah they need to make sure that there are no safeguarding issues and that the type of abortion you have requested, are safe for you.

It's perfectly normal and it's not there to put a barrier in the way.
Just more of a safety net.

This is my first pregnancy and my first abortion.
I've been really conflicted about it.

I have a few reasons, one being how poor the NHS are.
I've had some really severe cramping, to the point I've been screaming on my kitchen floor in pain.
Imagine period pains on steroids.

Anyway the doctors keep telling me its bowel issues. It's not. It's not the same area, nor the same feeling as constipation cramps.
Its in the same place I've had period pains my whole life - my uterus.
It's like they listen to what they want to hear but don't listen to the rest. Anyway after two hospital visits and a call out for an ambulance (who didn't turn up), I've lost confidence with the NHS.
Then my 2nd reason is, I don't have a partner to share this with. The baby daddy isn't very stable. He gives off all the reg flags with domestic abuse and I've been through that once already. I'm not prepared to be linked to someone unhinged like him.

And 3rd, my dad is really ill. The thought of me trying to raise a child, with no support, whilst trying to look after my dad, is really quite a stressful thought.

I've always said I wanted children but honestly after this experience, I'm really not so sure.

Original poster

MissBlacksheep · 19/03/2023 19:21

PazzyPaz · 19/03/2023 19:11

Yeah they need to make sure that there are no safeguarding issues and that the type of abortion you have requested, are safe for you.

It's perfectly normal and it's not there to put a barrier in the way.
Just more of a safety net.

This is my first pregnancy and my first abortion.
I've been really conflicted about it.

I have a few reasons, one being how poor the NHS are.
I've had some really severe cramping, to the point I've been screaming on my kitchen floor in pain.
Imagine period pains on steroids.

Anyway the doctors keep telling me its bowel issues. It's not. It's not the same area, nor the same feeling as constipation cramps.
Its in the same place I've had period pains my whole life - my uterus.
It's like they listen to what they want to hear but don't listen to the rest. Anyway after two hospital visits and a call out for an ambulance (who didn't turn up), I've lost confidence with the NHS.
Then my 2nd reason is, I don't have a partner to share this with. The baby daddy isn't very stable. He gives off all the reg flags with domestic abuse and I've been through that once already. I'm not prepared to be linked to someone unhinged like him.

And 3rd, my dad is really ill. The thought of me trying to raise a child, with no support, whilst trying to look after my dad, is really quite a stressful thought.

I've always said I wanted children but honestly after this experience, I'm really not so sure.

Aww really sorry to hear that.

OP posts:

Original poster

MissBlacksheep · 20/03/2023 10:10

PazzyPaz · 19/03/2023 19:11

Yeah they need to make sure that there are no safeguarding issues and that the type of abortion you have requested, are safe for you.

It's perfectly normal and it's not there to put a barrier in the way.
Just more of a safety net.

This is my first pregnancy and my first abortion.
I've been really conflicted about it.

I have a few reasons, one being how poor the NHS are.
I've had some really severe cramping, to the point I've been screaming on my kitchen floor in pain.
Imagine period pains on steroids.

Anyway the doctors keep telling me its bowel issues. It's not. It's not the same area, nor the same feeling as constipation cramps.
Its in the same place I've had period pains my whole life - my uterus.
It's like they listen to what they want to hear but don't listen to the rest. Anyway after two hospital visits and a call out for an ambulance (who didn't turn up), I've lost confidence with the NHS.
Then my 2nd reason is, I don't have a partner to share this with. The baby daddy isn't very stable. He gives off all the reg flags with domestic abuse and I've been through that once already. I'm not prepared to be linked to someone unhinged like him.

And 3rd, my dad is really ill. The thought of me trying to raise a child, with no support, whilst trying to look after my dad, is really quite a stressful thought.

I've always said I wanted children but honestly after this experience, I'm really not so sure.

Hey. I talked to an abortion clinic. They said 2 doctors need to make sure the requirements of the Abortion Act are met. I asked them if the only reason I wanted to abort is I don't want any children- will I get an abortion? They said they will help me with this when I book my appointment. But, according to the abortion act, not wanting a kid is not a valid reason. The clinic also said my answers won't affect the care I receive. Not sure if it means they will say yes to abortion.

OP posts:

PazzyPaz · 20/03/2023 11:39

You could always elaborate on your reason for not wanting children. For example, the financial burden of having a child, lack of support from a partner, doing it alone, which means no support.
Or the mental impact. If you feel that mentally you could not cope with a child.

Not wanting children is very valid. But maybe they just want a bit more info as to why.