DOZENS of young women are having abortions on the NHS after expensive IVF treatment because they have changed their minds about becoming a mother.
Some terminate pregnancies after splitting from their husband or boyfriend, others because they were pressured into starting a family. The phenomenon is worrying doctors and has triggered a backlash from family campaigners who accuse the women of treating babies like “designer goods”.
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Andrea Mrozek says
June 6, 2010 at 11:29 amAs I consider a friend now engaged in all that IVF does and means, with all the hopes and dashed hopes and dreams… the physical and emotional pain…I can’t imagine, just can’t imagine what it would look like to conclude that process with an abortion. I think if I sent this to my friend, she would feel physically sick. (And she doesn’t self-identify with the pro-life movement.)
David says
June 6, 2010 at 11:41 amIt’s a terrible tragedy. A very minor and, relatively, very insignificant note is that this story, especially its headline, is very unusual for the Times of London. Either editorial policy has shifted (which would be wonderful) or this one has slipped by. A story and headline like this in the London Times is only marginally less unusual than it would be in the NYT. I’d love to think this represents a change in the nature of the conversation about life in the UK in general and the Times in particular.
Jennifer Derwey says
June 6, 2010 at 6:21 pmAfter reading this article, I kept trying my damnedest to understand, at least to some extent, these particular women’s dilemmas. But after all those doctors appointments, all in confidentiality, all those chances to change your mind, speak to someone you could trust about your feelings, why get to that point if it wasn’t what you wanted? It’s maddening.
Suzanne A. says
June 7, 2010 at 4:02 pmWhat I don’t get, among other things, is what an 18-year-old is doing having IVF…
Jennifer Derwey says
June 8, 2010 at 6:42 amAn update today on the issue:
“Figures released by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have suggested that around one per cent of IVF pregnancies are terminated.” (source: http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/news/june-2010/1-of-ivf-pregnancies-terminated-32439/ )
It’s important to note that this number is for all abortions, including what’s called ‘selective reduction’, meaning the abortion of multiples.