Irish Abortion Laws

The issue of abortion is just so emotional and on one hand I think it is definitely right that woman have the choice but on the other hand I think it can be abused.
We had fertility treatment to get pregnant deliberately and our baby turned out to have a condition which would have meant it would have had a very sickly life, obviously blighted and unlikely to make old bones. With much heartache we went through with an abortion which nearly killed me but had I continued with the pregnancy, I would have definitely died so it is difficult to say it was a mistake although for years after, my conscience bothered me. We didn't make the decision lightly but considered the quality of life the unborn child would have, the effect of it's many problems would have on our 5 existing children and what would happen to our little girl if anything happened to us. At no time did I think that I couldn't cope if we carried on but I know my husband wasn't so sure but was willing to try if I wanted to continue with the pregnancy.
On the other hand, I know people who use the morning after pill and abortion as a form of contraception and that is just repugnant to me but if they carried on with a pregnancy it would be a blighted life for the child and I think that is worse.

It is indeed an age old problem. Abortion has always existed in some form and even with modern advances there is no form of contraception that is 100% effective.

The "baby crying" is rather strong emotional blackmail. 90% of UK terminations occur in the first trimester - many before the baby even has a heartbeat at 6 weeks and certainly before fully functional lungs. Up to 20% of known pregnancies miscarries naturally in the first trimester.

Eglantine - it’s situations like the one you described, where a woman has a wanted pregnancy, but is then diagnosed with cancer, that made me vote “yes” in the recent referendum in Ireland. Many doctors also called for a change in the law because they felt it limited their ability to treat pregnant women.

Many people in Ireland felt a bit uncomfortable about the celebrations at the result of the referendum, even though they supported a change. There were a lots of discussions in the media beforehand and the issue was taken very seriously.

I totally agree with you Farmor15.I could not have put it better myself.I cringe when I hear the stories of couples having to travel to England when they should be at home with their families. It was a very enlightening campaign and was long overdue.

Some very sad stories here. I do sympathise with you all. I do feel that society must share the responsibility. More education and much more help is urgently needed.

Serkeen if you were really unaware of the situation around abortion before the sixties act can I suggest you watch the excellent film Vera Drake directed by Mike Leigh. It is harrowing, but shows what went on. Abortions then could be bought from Harley Street doctors if you were rich enough. The poor of course depended on back-street abortionists.
Women always have and always will have abortions, making it safe and legal for them should be celebrated. Mourn the unborn child by all means, but don't think that will solve the problem. And far better a foetus is lost than a family lose their mother.

I think very very few people are "pro abortion" - but a great many are "pro-choice"! Yes, many pregnancies can be avoided through the use of birth control - but even the most effective forms of birth control do not prevent pregnancy 100% of the time. Women may choose to end a pregnancy for all manner of reasons - who am I, or you, or anyone else for that matter, to say what they should do with their own bodies. It is a decision which is rarely taken lightly - and far better that a women who finds herself in that situation should be able to have a safe and legal abortion than resort to other means.

Well said Blondie, you have written my thoughts on this matter. I have been reading this thread and I cringe every time someone posts about women having abortions because having a baby would be ‘inconvenient ‘. I am so thankful that I have never been in the position of having to consider an abortion and I would never criticise a woman who makes that choice. Congratulations to all those lucky posters who have never had to consider it.

Suedonim very long article. will finish later. interesting. thanks.