27th June 2003
CONTROVERSIAL ABORTION PLANS ANNOUNCED
Plans to make it easier and more convenient for women to have abortions have caused controversy.
To have an early medical abortion, a woman is currently given drugs on two separate occasions - both of which are reliant on the woman attending a surgery or clinic. However, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) would like to see the procedure changed, so that women can take the second drug at home, rather than having to go back to the clinic. They say this is already standard practice in America and it would make the procedure more convenient.
Ann Furedi, chief executive of BPAS, maintains that "a woman should be able to obtain an abortion with as little hassle as possible. We feel she is already under enough stress as a result of an unwanted pregnancy and we want to make the whole process of obtaining an abortion as simply straightforward and stress-free as possible."
But the plans have met with criticism from anti-abortion campaigners. Nuala Scarisbrick, spokesperson for the charity Life, said, "I am completely opposed to this idea. I'm concerned about the risks to health if the woman bleeds heavily. She should be in range of a doctor." She added that early abortion by medical drugs can be both physically and emotionally damaging to women, especially as they're fully conscious throughout and aware of what's happening.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the approach won't be approved "unless we're content that a woman's safety is not at risk."
Where to next?- What are your views on abortion and this proposed home approach? Share your thoughts, in our Your Shout discussion forum
- Find out what it's like to get pregnant after abortion
- If you're in need of support, chat to others in the feeling down forum
- Find out more about the British Pregnancy Advisory Service