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MNHQ

Cross-party inquiry into unwanted pregnancy: your views?

2 replies

RowanMumsnet · 13/09/2012 12:18

Hello,

We've been asked by Conservative MP Amber Rudd to contribute to a cross-party inquiry into the factors underlying unwanted pregnancies in the UK, and ways in which the unwanted pregnancy rate might be brought down. (Other members of the Inquiry include Labour MP Sandra Osborne and LibDem MP Lorely Burt.)

The background information from the Inquiry states: 'Over the last decade, the age-standardised abortion rate has risen by 2.3 per cent. Beneath this statistic are some striking trends. For example, the abortion rate for women in the 30-34 age group has risen by around 10 per cent in the past three years, which is in stark contrast to other countries like New Zealand, where the rate has decreased by 5 per cent over the same period. Repeat abortions have also increased over the past decade, rising from 31 per cent in 2001 to 36 per cent in 2011. Although unwanted pregnancies in teenagers have been steadily declining over the past decade, the UK also remains home to the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe.'

The Inquiry is interested in hearing your views on the following:

  1. The issue of unwanted pregnancy in the UK.
  2. The figures suggest that there are increasing rates of abortions among some age groups in the UK, increasing rates of repeat abortions, and high levels of teenage pregnancy. What are the underlying reasons for these trends? And what role (if any) does government have in tackling them?
  3. What lessons can be learned from previous attempts to tackle unwanted pregnancies?
  4. Are there any measures the government should be implementing to tackle unwanted pregnancy?

Plus, of course, anything else you want to say.

Thanks,
MNHQ

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MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 14/09/2012 13:51

Hello - thanks very much for the responses so far.

@TheDoctrineOfSnatch

Can you ask if they have read Caitlin Moran's account of her abortion, and the thread on here (I think it was GOML's) re not feeling bad about abortion?

Is their concern about contraceptive services?

Yes, I think that's part of it; aside from the issue of how family income affects people's decisions about whether to continue with an unplanned pregnancy, I think they're trying to get at the underlying reasons for (apparently) an increasing number of women experiencing unwanted pregnancy in the first place. (Although I do appreciate that these issues are interlinked, and it's an interesting perspective on the situation.)

I suspect their starting position (and I stress that this is a guess!) is that however pro-choice you are (and Amber Rudd has, I think, a fairly solid pro-choice record), contraception to prevent an unwanted pregnancy is preferable to termination. If you accept that premise (you may, of course, disagree!), then the question is - why do an apparently increasing number of women not successfully contracept? Are there factors that are preventing that?

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 18/10/2012 09:26

Hello

Thanks very much for all the comments. We submitted a precis of the thread to the Inquiry as written evidence, and I also gave oral evidence on Tuesday.

Here's the text of a press release summing up the oral evidence sessions, and giving more info on what will happen next.

-

On 16th October Amber Rudd MP (Con), Sandra Osborne MP (Lab), Lorely
Burt MP (Lib Dem) and Gail Beer from 2020health interviewed a number
of stakeholders at the cross-party Unplanned Pregnancy Inquiry?s final
oral evidence session. The Inquiry is being chaired by Amber Rudd MP
and co-chaired by the 2020health think tank, whose purpose it is to
improve individual health and create the conditions for a healthy
society.

Many of the panellists challenged the assumption that unplanned
pregnancy is only a women?s issue, with Rowan Davies from Mumsnet
stressing the need for men to be involved in the process of
contraceptive choices. Simon Blake from Brook said that teenage boys
should be clear about what is expected of them, while JC from Respond
Academy highlighted the problem of young boys viewing too much
pornography and not having any understanding of contraception. JC also
talked about how young men are often keen to be involved in the
pregnancy and the arrival of babies, but all too often end up losing
interest. She spoke about the terrible loss this is to mothers and
babies, stressing the importance of engaging with young men about the
consequences of not using contraception.

The Inquiry has now received dozens of written and oral evidence
submissions, which will be used to formulate a series of
recommendations to the Government with the aim of reducing unplanned
pregnancies in all age groups. The recommendations are expected to be
published later in the year.

Speaking after the oral evidence session, Chairman of the Inquiry
Amber Rudd said:

'The oral evidence sessions have been extremely interesting and
thorough, giving this inquiry a fascinating insight into the issues
surrounding unplanned pregnancy in the UK. I would like to thank
everyone who has contributed, both through oral and written evidence.
I now look forward to coming up with some recommendations that will
seek to reduce unplanned pregnancy in the UK.

'It was also very interesting to hear about the emphasis put on
engaging with young men when so often this is viewed exclusively as a
women?s issue.'

Gail Beer, Consultant at 2020health, added:

'We are delighted to be involved in this important inquiry, which aims
to reduce the level of unwanted pregnancy in the UK. I have no doubt
that this inquiry will provide a comprehensive and informative series
of recommendations to the Government.'

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