As the law stands at time of writing, termination is illegal unless two doctors agree that it is necessary for one of the following reasons: the baby is abnormal; there is a risk to the physical or mental health of baby; the health of the mother or of other children may be jeopardized if the pregnancy continues. Termination is also illegal after 28 weeks.
If pregnancy is unwanted and bringing up a child yourself is totally unfeasible, you have two choices; termination or adoption. Adoption preserves life; on the other hand, pregnancy and labour are not without risks, the baby has to be given up shortly after birth, and you may come to regret that you took no part in his or her growing up. Termination also has its pros and cons; it is less risky than carrying a baby to term, although there is a slight risk of cervical incompetence in subsequent pregnancies; guilt, sometimes severe, is a common reaction.
If your medical doctor is not sympathetic to termination, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Family Planning Association, Brook Advisory Centre, or National Council for One-Parent Families will give you all the advice and information you need.
Termination involves D and C (dilation and curettage, or suction removal of the contents of the womb); this is a 15-minute procedure done under general anaesthetic and seldom involves a hospital stay of more than 12 hours.
Specific remedies to be taken every 4 hours for up to 3 days after operation
- Feeling very upset, with lump in throat and tight feeling around chest Ignatia 30c
- Where symptoms are more physical - i.e. abdominal pain, cystitis Staphysagria 30c
|
Back to Ailments & Diseases
