There’s increasing debate about the lack of official provision of abortion services across Northern Ireland, with concerns being raised that women are risking their health and safety by turning to the backstreets. I think the rhetoric around ‘backstreet’ abortion is flawed. It is more likely that when official abortion services are not being provided, or... Continue Reading →
Self-managed medical abortion in India.
On International Safe Abortion Day, September 28th, Marie Stopes International held a public webinar, during which one of its presenters stated that self-managed medical abortion using drugs from pharmacies across India is not legal. This is important because MSI has been reporting for many years that its operation in India provides at least 40% of... Continue Reading →
Care at home – the reality behind the hashtag.
#CareAtHome is being used by many on Twitter lobbying for the provision of telemedicine abortion in Northern Ireland. #CareAtHome – sounds so nice, who wouldn’t want it, but what’s the reality behind the hashtag? I suppose #CareInMyBathroom or #CareOnMyToilet doesn’t have the same appeal. Realities of abortion at home. On 28 May, the Daily Mail published a... Continue Reading →
Women on Web in Poland.
In November 2018, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Great Britain) published a study into the safety and acceptability of medical abortion through telemedicine provided by Women on Web in Poland. This study noted: a lack of certainty in the self-reporting of gestational age; an increasing need for surgical intervention as GA increased; and... Continue Reading →
Abortion in Poland
31 countries, including Poland, are clearing stating that abortion law is a sovereign matter; the United Nations and international organisations can lobby and campaign for abortion policy change but do not have the right to provide or enable the provision of illegal abortion services. Abortion law This week, Poland’s constitutional tribunal ruled that abortion for... Continue Reading →
Abortion is legal by choice?
First published by Christian Concern on its website, on October 13th, 2020. A key finding from our mystery client survey is that both BPAS and Marie Stopes UK operate as if abortion is legal by choice in Great Britain. A woman simply has to ask for one and can provide any reason for choosing her termination... Continue Reading →
Trend towards earlier gestational ages
Over many years, there has been a slow, steady increase in the proportion of abortions which occur at lower gestational age. The percentage of abortions at <10 weeks in 2009 was 75% and this had risen to 82% by 2019. Data released by the Department of Health and Social Care show these data in more... Continue Reading →
Trend towards medical abortion
Over many years, there has been a trend towards the preferred use of medication for abortions across England and Wales. DHSC data show that in 2008 the method mix for abortion was 62% surgical and 37% medical. In 2013-14, the proportional use of each method is equal, and since then medical abortion has been the... Continue Reading →
Only half of those eligible, chose pills by post
On March 30th, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 lockdown and the ensuing difficulties facing those needing to visit clinics, the Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Social Care approved the home of a pregnant woman as a place in which both medications for an early medical abortion could be taken. Across... Continue Reading →
DHSC Reveals 52 Illegal Abortions at Home
In the first six months of 2020, across England and Wales, 52 official forms of notification (HSA4) were submitted by abortion practitioners to the DHSC, certifying medical abortions at home in which the gestational age was recorded at more than the legal permitted limit of 10 weeks. Written answer by DHSC to Freedom of Information... Continue Reading →
