Latest Abortion Act

*incest!

I agree.No changes to the guidelines, but decriminalisation of women seeking abortion.

I think the argument of opponents is that decriminalisation would lead to breaches in the very stringent requirements for post -24 weeks abortions.(only legal in very special circumstances where the mother's life is endangered or it is certain that the baby is not going to be capable of surviving longer than hours post-birth even if born at term)

However this wouldn't happen in hospitals, far to risky for them to break abortion law, and at this stage of pregnancy it is very unlikely that "backstreet" abortions would happen, as the drugs would merely induce labour, which would then require medical / midwifery assistance in, probably the majority, of cases and could possibly result in a livebirth.It is too late for a surgical abortion.

I trust that obstericians and midwives were involved before this decriminalisation bill was introduced, and the professional opinion obtained that it would not lead to an increase in post-24 weeks abortions.

I think this decriminalisation has just opened up a debate on abortion that in this country was pretty much settled. I disagree with this move completely and have always been pro choice.

The confusion about possible changes may be because Abortion is devolved in Scotland and The Abortion Act is under review. An Expert Report was submitted last year. The following is quoted from AI, source is the Scotsman I think. It's a good summary, I've read the report.

"If the Scottish Government adopts all the November 2025 expert recommendations, Scotland's laws could become more progressive than England's:

The "Two Doctors" Rule: Scotland is considering removing the requirement for two doctors to approve an abortion before 24 weeks, allowing it to be a matter of "healthcare on request". England currently still requires two doctors' signatures.

Who Provides Care: Proposals in Scotland would allow any "appropriately trained healthcare professional" (not just doctors) to provide abortion care.

Decriminalisation Scope: While England focuses on protecting women from prosecution for self-induced abortions, the Scottish proposals aim to move abortion entirely out of the criminal law framework into a healthcare-led model. "

I think it is murder killing a 24 week old fully formed child. That is just my opinion. Not for any religeous reason. Not wanting a child isn't a reason, if it's for severe health reason that's different but I would still have it.

For curiosity I googled '24 week foetus' and it's a fully formed baby, many survive.

Surely an abortion can be arranged well before that if you don't want to go through with the pregnancy.

After missing a period, doing a pregnancy test, having the pregnancy confirmed by a doctor, then deciding on a termination for whatever reason, I would have thought that 12 - 16 weeks max. should be the cut off time. I didn't realise until looking at the photos how quickly a baby develops, I was shocked. It can't be an easy decision to have an abortion, but it should be a matter of urgency as soon as you have your pregnancy confirmed.

I have always been pro choice . And a woman can decide what to do with her own body. Abortion to my mind isn't murder until the baby is born I have always believed it's a fetus. Even having my own children until they where born that's how I felt. I wouldn't let myself love them in case I miscarried until they where born . This won't be a popular view and those who will haul insults at me save your breath . We all have free will to decide how we feel about everything in life including abortion and being pregnant.

My mom miscarriage at 22 weeks after finally getting pregnant after 3 years of trying until dementia made her forget my mom grieved over the miscarriage and blamed herself .

TheSunRisesInTheEast

For curiosity I googled '24 week foetus' and it's a fully formed baby, many survive.

Surely an abortion can be arranged well before that if you don't want to go through with the pregnancy.

After missing a period, doing a pregnancy test, having the pregnancy confirmed by a doctor, then deciding on a termination for whatever reason, I would have thought that 12 - 16 weeks max. should be the cut off time. I didn't realise until looking at the photos how quickly a baby develops, I was shocked. It can't be an easy decision to have an abortion, but it should be a matter of urgency as soon as you have your pregnancy confirmed.

You're assuming all women have the usual symptoms of pregnancy; some don't.I know three who had no inkling they were pregnant for the first six months.

www.bpas.org/media/dmjf3y0l/why-do-women-need-abortions-after-20-weeks.pdf

Most terminations are in the very early stages. The later ones are people like scared teenagers who can’t talk to anyone, menopausal women who thought they could not become pregnant anymore, women who are raped and therefore traumatised. Some women still have periods in pregnancy, some don’t know they are pregnant. To call these situations murder is inflammatory and make a difficult time even more traumatic. I strongly support pro choice. I think it would be a good idea to just need one doctors approval, or even a skilled nurse specialist to sign a form. Vera Drake is a good film to watch if we need reminding of the bad old days. Let’s not go back. Women all over the world are having their hard fought rights gradually taken away for all sorts of things. Look at Afghanistan, not typical, but a warning.

How is it that when a woman miscarries a wanted pregnancy, she loses 'her baby'
When it's an abortion, it is a foetus, she terminates the pregnancy.
I think there needs to be more honesty around this. A ternination of prsgnancy is a termination (killing) of life, there is no way around that fact. A foetus isnt a mole or a skin tag. Any woman going for a 12 week scan knows that. Better we agree that it is the mother's right to kill that life for her own reasons and nobody's business.

Well written Sallywally1. My thoughts exactly. I’m pro-choice - the service should be available for those who need/must use it. I speak from experience.

I’m pro choice. Most terminations happen in the very early weeks, as early pregnancy tests are accurate

Yes women if you don't agree to our beliefs on abortion you will end up like those women in Afghanistan. I mean the women in a variety of European countries who all have a lower abortion limit than here will be surprised to hear that. The tactic of threatening the complete decimation of women's rights in order for people to agree is a tactic very familiar and has been used against women many times.
This is an over reach and has all sorts of implications for women who have been coerced etc, the way it has been done has also not taken the public with them, something that generally ends badly.

I had no idea that seeking an abortion is a crime. Am I misunderstanding something here? Is this really what is changing? I find it quite baffling.

I am pro choice, women should have autonomy over their own bodies which includes reproduction. Most abortions occur within the first few weeks and most women do not make this decision lightly.

Franski

How is it that when a woman miscarries a wanted pregnancy, she loses 'her baby'
When it's an abortion, it is a foetus, she terminates the pregnancy.
I think there needs to be more honesty around this. A ternination of prsgnancy is a termination (killing) of life, there is no way around that fact. A foetus isnt a mole or a skin tag. Any woman going for a 12 week scan knows that. Better we agree that it is the mother's right to kill that life for her own reasons and nobody's business.

I do agree its a woman's right to kill an unborn baby for reasons of her own.

It's a right I always assumed for myself. I would have terminated an unplanned unwanted pregnancy. In certain circumstances I would have terminated my much wanted and planned pregnancies, killing the baby.

I want other women to have the same choice if they want it.

Calling an abortion "killing your baby" is harsh and hurtful to people who have had this procedure done. There are a number of reasons for having a termination, I'm not against it but think it should be done as soon as possible after confirmation of the pregnancy (I know some people don't have usual symptoms, but if you've suffered rape or a contraception fail, S & D, surely you would be doing a pregnancy test soon after if you really didn't want a baby.)

Most women who have had an abortion feel guilty enough, without calling them killers.

Much better to abort an unwanted baby than bring it into an uncertain world.

Of course it’s better to try and use contraception and if needed have an early termination.

Life is not perfectly planned and all kinds of things happen.

Woman must always have the right of total control over their own bodies.

Adoption isn’t always the answer and certainly doesn’t always work out well.

choice is the answer, and whom am I to criticise or deny this right to any woman.

Well said Cossy.
👏🏽👏🏽

Galaxy

Yes women if you don't agree to our beliefs on abortion you will end up like those women in Afghanistan. I mean the women in a variety of European countries who all have a lower abortion limit than here will be surprised to hear that. The tactic of threatening the complete decimation of women's rights in order for people to agree is a tactic very familiar and has been used against women many times.
This is an over reach and has all sorts of implications for women who have been coerced etc, the way it has been done has also not taken the public with them, something that generally ends badly.

Have you seen what happens in the very southern states, in poorer communities, in America? Abortion banned, lots of “pro lifer’s”, who in reality are “anti abortion”. No help whatsoever for those poor mothers, especially black mothers, to help raise these poor babies.

I have posted about this situation before.
Two women I knew were expecting a much wanted second baby.
At a scan, both babies were found to have a condition ( different ones) which was not commensurate with life. Both were sent away to discuss this with their family, but time was of the essence.
One woman went for a termination, the other continued with the pregnancy, delivering, eventually, an infant that lived 72 hours..
Which woman was right: both of them were, of course. Each decided what was right for them and their family. No one else should have any say in this, nor use words about " killing babies" in these most tragic of circumstances.

Cossy

Galaxy

Yes women if you don't agree to our beliefs on abortion you will end up like those women in Afghanistan. I mean the women in a variety of European countries who all have a lower abortion limit than here will be surprised to hear that. The tactic of threatening the complete decimation of women's rights in order for people to agree is a tactic very familiar and has been used against women many times.
This is an over reach and has all sorts of implications for women who have been coerced etc, the way it has been done has also not taken the public with them, something that generally ends badly.

Have you seen what happens in the very southern states, in poorer communities, in America? Abortion banned, lots of “pro lifer’s”, who in reality are “anti abortion”. No help whatsoever for those poor mothers, especially black mothers, to help raise these poor babies.

Yes, and let's remember that USA "pro-lifers" are active in UK.

humanists.uk/2025/04/02/how-us-funded-anti-abortion-activism-in-the-uk-now-threatens-us-uk-trade-deal/

I didn't refer to America, I compared our country's situation to the situation in Europe. They have shorter time limits and don't seem to be in an Afghanistan type situation.

I am afraid I wouldn't trust womens rights to anyone who used the ' well if you don't agree with everything we say your abortion rights are at risk'. As I say I have seen that tactic used before.