Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Telly addicts

Related: Film discussion forum.

Original poster

Three Families BBC 1

87 replies

unique1986 · 10/05/2021 12:27

The two-part drama explores Northern Ireland's strict abortion law and its impact on three different families between 2013 and 2019.

Looks very good and powerful. 9pm tonight.

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 12/05/2021 06:50

Wow. So emotional

3rd lady. Rosie. I rem being tested for Edwards when preg. Think they do as routine with downs as higher risk for 'older ladies'

Giving birth knowing your baby is dead must be horrendous - I know 3 woman this has happened to - totally heart breaking 💔

And to wait 5 days. Wow

Glad granny was supportive

Let alone 6yrs to go to court

Very thought provoking

Thank god the law changed but still will be those in ni who beleive it is wrong and won’t offer abortions

And the rule not after 12w is insane as someone said below the usual
Scan is 12w when uou would find out any abnormalities by which time it’s legally too late

WellTidy · 12/05/2021 07:34

I’ve donated too, thank you.

Lauren15 · 12/05/2021 13:48

I got up at silly o’clock this morning and decided to watch this instead of the news. It was really upsetting. I can’t believe women’s rights are so poor in part of country. I hope the real Orla is ok.

maddiemookins16mum · 12/05/2021 16:54

This and It’s a Sin were the two best bits of TV in 2021 this year.

SouthOfFrance · 12/05/2021 17:21

Just watched the second episode, I feel like this should have really been a 3 part series not 2 so it could have been more in depth but I did think it was really good.

I didn't realise that even though the law has changed, that services that should be provided aren't, it's so wrong.

It makes me so cross that there are so many massive issues in the UK for women that hardly get mentioned, male violence, abortion rights, fathers not paying for their children etc, it's so wrong.

Is there a reason someone hasn't set up a new clinic in N.ireland to provide all the services that are legally allowed, so that women don't need to go to the mainland?

IHaveBrilloHair · 12/05/2021 20:02

I've just watched it and it really hit home.
I knew as soon as they said 23+6, it was too late, and I know as I had one at 23+5.
I'm in Scotland luckily, but still got no support, no counselling, best friend disowned me.
My Bf stuck by me and we're still together 14 years on.

JustDanceAddict · 12/05/2021 20:56

Literally just finished watching it.
Absolutely disgusting that women can’t have a termination past 12 weeks, when you’d find out there’s an issue.
I can’t imagine what it must be like to give birth to a dead baby. Just horrific.
I was in NI 4 years ago - beautiful country - but this is barbaric.

JustDanceAddict · 12/05/2021 20:58

@whatsthestory123

from what i can gather not much has changed,that cant be right Confused
When I started watching it (when I got up do half asleep!) I thought maybe I was watching something set 30 years ago & then they got out their mobiles.
Blondeshavemorefun · 12/05/2021 21:23

@IHaveBrilloHair

I've just watched it and it really hit home. I knew as soon as they said 23+6, it was too late, and I know as I had one at 23+5. I'm in Scotland luckily, but still got no support, no counselling, best friend disowned me. My Bf stuck by me and we're still together 14 years on.
💕
userxx · 12/05/2021 21:26

@JustDanceAddict I had to rewind to check the date actually said 2015. Unbelievable.

Lauren15 · 12/05/2021 22:18

@IHaveBrilloHair

I've just watched it and it really hit home. I knew as soon as they said 23+6, it was too late, and I know as I had one at 23+5. I'm in Scotland luckily, but still got no support, no counselling, best friend disowned me. My Bf stuck by me and we're still together 14 years on.
Flowers
thebakeoffwasntasgoodthisyear · 12/05/2021 23:06

*What's the support system in Ireland like does anyone know?

If they expect all these woken to continue pregnancies even with severely disabled babies , is there a benefit system? Dla? Schools that can take them etc?*

The series was set in NI which is part of the UK, so the benefit system including DLA is the same. In the Republic of Ireland, abortions for fatal fetal abnormality are now permitted.

cushioncovers · 13/05/2021 09:09

Powerful drama. Can't believe this is happening in this day and age. The attitudes there are so different to the rest of the U.K. I think it's an example of how complex NI is in its beliefs, politics & outlook.

DigOutThoseLemonHandWipes · 13/05/2021 09:25

@Blondeshavemorefun

Omg. Just seen last nights

Was heart wrenching

To have to give birth knowing your baby will be dead or die shortly afterwards

And to help your daughter tho knowing was illegal

How can Northern Ireland still be in the dark ages 😢

I think if was my daughter, I would have gone to Uk with her and had an abortion

The doctor was wrong to tell the school /child protection

Tonight’s will hit home as well

Just popping off to England is not necessarily easy. Apart from the costs her daughter did not want her step father to know so how would she explain disappearing for a few day? I remember a post on here a few year ago from a poster who was traveling to England for this reason but couldn't take leave so was going to have to call in sick but she was terrified of being seen on the airport bus/ at the airport or getting caught out some other way. Can anyone in NI confirm if things have changed at all? The caption at the end suggests little has changed which is heart breaking.
IHaveBrilloHair · 13/05/2021 11:40

I had to travel from Glasgow to London even though it's perfectly legal here.
My then 5yr old stayed with my bf, I was was for four nights, it was the absolute minimum to make it work, and he had to take time off work and come to my house when he lives in a different city hundreds of miles away.
All that was really on my side was that it was legal, they don't make it easy and quite frankly the staff at the clinic, apart from the anaesthetist were awful.

BLACKTUESDAY1 · 13/05/2021 18:09

Just watching this. So very sad. I was just thinking how terribly hard it has been for anyone wanting to travel to England for this during the pandemic. What on earth would they be able to do 😥

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/05/2021 19:07

I wonder how many come from ni to England each year

IHaveBrilloHair · 13/05/2021 19:53

I'd guess fewer than want to, due to money, being ousted by the community, lack of support, being brought up very religiously.
My heart breaks for them.
I've always been very pro choice.
As soon as possible, as late as necessary, for any reason.

IHaveBrilloHair · 13/05/2021 20:00

I used to say I had my termination for social reasons.
I refuse to say that now, it was for my mental health.
I asked my BF once, what his opinion was, and he said, whilst looking me straight in the eye, that it was my decision to make, and he'd support me no matter what.
I love him anyway, but particularly for that.
(I actually think if it was up to him, he'd have made the opposite decision, but he knew and accepted the decision was mine to make)

IHaveBrilloHair · 13/05/2021 20:06

He'd have made a great Dad, and him and Dd have a great relationship, separate from me, now she's 19, but he adores her, and her him.
I do sometimes feel guilty that I almost robbed him of having kids, but he chose me knowing I didn't want more kids, I just didn't know I'd have to have a termination.

Sorry, I've waffled a lot.

Arrierttyclock · 13/05/2021 20:22

I'm halfway through the first episode it's absolutely heartbreaking. It's in humane it makes me so angry. So happy that that stupid law has finally changed but so angry it took so long!

SouthOfFrance · 13/05/2021 21:11

Brilliant Flowers You did what was right for you and your family, good you have such a lovely supportive BF.

That's a good point what did women do during the pandemic?

SouthOfFrance · 13/05/2021 21:12

I meant Brillo not Brilliant

AbsolutelyPatsy · 14/05/2021 06:55

amazing they changed the abortion bill, so well acted, and what a terrible situation for the mother to be in.
unfortunately an abortion is still very much denied

beryltheperilrocks · 14/05/2021 07:33

Wow. .that's was powerful. .I knew the law was different in NI....but that really hit home.