In a foetus the pain receptors develop around seven weeks after conception, and the spino-thalamic system at about 13 weeks. Finally, the connections to the cortex are completed at about 26 weeks. The key area where doctors and researchers lack consensus, is whether pain can be felt by the foetus when these systems are only partly formed. (2005 The Life Information Charitable Trust. www.life.org.nz )

For example:
“Functioning neurological structures necessary for pain sensation are in place as early as eight weeks, but certainly by 14 weeks. By 14 weeks, the entire sensory nervous system functions as a whole in all parts of the body (except in the skin or the back of the head).”(V. Collins, S. Zielinski and T. Marzen, “Fetal Pain and Abortion: the Medical Evidence”, Studies in Law and Medicine, No 18, 1984. V. Collins is Professor of Anaesthesiology at the University of Illinois)

In 1999 the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology stated: "Given the anatomical evidence, it is possible that the foetus can feel pain from 20 weeks, and is caused distress by interventions from as early as 15 - 16 weeks."

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) warn that there is a 10% risk of post-abortion infection (National Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion, RCOG, May 2001). Serious or untreated post-abortion infection can lead to infertility and problems such as endometriosis or scarring of the fallopian tubes.

The most recent research indicates a risk of future pre-term delivery. It is also identified that although induced abortion does not directly increase the risk of breast cancer it does result in a reduced protection against breast cancer and therefore the net result is an increased risk (Thorp Jr. et al, “Long-term Physical and Psychological Health Consequences of Induced Abortion: Review of the Evidence”, Ostetrical & Gynaecological Survey 2003, 58[1]).

Research has identified that at least 10% of women who have an abortion are at risk of suffering from Post-Abortion Trauma at some point between their abortion and the end of their lives (Zolese G & Blacker CV “The Psychological Complications of Therapeutic Abortion”, The British Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 1992).

The RU486/chemical abortion is particularly traumatic for the woman because of her direct involvement in the procedure and the result of having to live her abortion over a number of days.

Post-Abortion Trauma is the grief, guilt and anger associated with the loss of a child through the mother’s abortion decision.

Women presenting for abortion are not given objective information on the physical and psychological risks involved or on foetal development. Many women do not receive any written information at all. Counselling before an abortion procedure is voluntary and the law does not require the abortion counsellor to discuss with the woman her other options (“The Physical & Psycho-Social effects of Abortion on Women”, A Report by the Commission of Inquiry into the Operation and Consequences of the Abortion Act, Sec. 63, June 1994).

The MAP can act as a contraceptive if taken before fertilisation takes place as it can prevent ovulation or reduce the motility of the sperm and the egg to prevent them meeting. As a result of this second aspect of the MAP the British government’s Chief Medical Officer has insisted it carries a warning of the risk of ectopic pregnancy (where the embryo develops outside of the womb) Where there is an ongoing pregnancy 1 in 20 will be ectopic; this is a life-threatening condition. (The Daily Mail, 30 January 2003).

Although the MAP works in the same way as the ordinary mini-pill it contains up to 50 times the amount of synthetic hormone progestogen as the ordinary mini-pill (Comparison of Schering’s Levonelle-2 progestogen-only MAP and Norgeston, Schering’s progestogen-only mini-pill). There have been no long-term tests on the effects of the MAP or on its effects on the health and fertility of young girls. The MAP is not recommended as a regular form of contraception and yet it can be bought over the counter from the pharmacy and has been given away free of charge to girls under the age of consent. Schering, recommend that girls under the age of 16 should not take the MAP without the supervision of their doctor (Levonelle-2 Summary of Product Characteristics, Section 4.2, www.schering.co.uk). The MAP does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Under the Abortion Act 1967 (amended 1990) abortion is recognised as a criminal act but is considered permissible under certain specified circumstances as stated below:

a) The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated
b) The termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman
c) The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman
d) The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of any existing child(ren) of the family of the pregnant woman
e) There is a substantial risk that if the child were born he/she would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped
f) In an emergency to save the life of the woman
g) In an emergency to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

Can we support a law that discriminates against those with disabilities and yet at the same time claim to have respect for people living with disabilities?

Some people who have disabilities believe that if abortion on the grounds of disability had been allowed before they were born then perhaps they would not be here today.

Campaigning for the legalisation of abortion began after the 1938 case of Dr Alex Bourne who was acquitted by the courts for performing an abortion on a girl who had been raped. This eventually led to the Abortion Act 1967. Dr Bourne became a founder member of SPUC due to his outrage at his case being used to promote abortion on demand. This is a good example of the saying “hard cases make bad laws”.

Many people believe that abortion is the solution for a woman who becomes pregnant through rape or incest as the baby would only be a reminder of her experience. However, the rape/incest is the problem not the baby. Having an abortion may allow society to forget but the woman will never forget.

Rape or sexual abuse is a traumatic act of violence against a woman. Abortion only adds to her trauma as she suffers the new trauma of losing her child and the baby now becomes a second innocent victim of the abuse.

Research shows that women who have carried their child to term and who have either kept their child or given it up for adoption consider their child to be the positive outcome of a traumatic experience (Victims and Victors, ed. David C. Reardon, Julie Makimaa and Amy Sobie, Elliot Institute, 2000).

Children whose life began under such awful circumstances may feel more loved and valued, knowing that in spite of the circumstances of their conception they were still loved and wanted by their mother.

Professor Eamon O'Dwyer, Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Ireland, Galway said in his written submission to the Irish Committee on the Constitution 29 February 2000: “After forty years as a consultant obstetrician gynaecologist I can state: there is no conflict of interest between the mother and her unborn child; there are no medical indications for abortion; there is no risk to the mother that can be avoided by abortion; prohibition of deliberate intentional abortion will not effect, in any way, the availability of all necessary care for the pregnant woman. There is therefore a fundamental difference between abortion procured with intent to abort, for social reasons for example, '... deliberate, intentional destruction of unborn life' ... and destruction of unborn life incidental to requisite medical treatment which is lawful and ethical, however distressing.”

The Executive Council of Ireland’s Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists say that abortion is never medically necessary and should not be legalised under false pretences. (Irish Times 15 November 2000).

Many people believe that the greater availability and more effective use of contraception will eradicate the need for abortion. However, family planning experts admit there is a link between the increased use of contraception and the increase in the number of abortions. When a couple use contraception they do so to prevent pregnancy, therefore any resulting pregnancy is by definition unplanned and so, where legal, abortion then becomes a possibility?

Many contraceptive pills and implants can act as abortifacients by preventing newly formed embryos from implanting in the womb. “Contraceptives” such as the intra-uterine device (IUD) act solely to prevent the embryo’s implantation. Therefore, not only does the use of contraception not remove the need for abortion, but some contraceptives can also cause early abortions that go unregistered, concealing the true number. This is also the case for the morning-after pill.

Contraception and abortion have been central to the sexual revolution, which many people believe has led to the liberation of women. Liberation implies a notion of freedom yet our society suggests that abortion is the only option to an unplanned pregnancy rather than making it easier for women to accept their pregnancy and choose to have their child?

The notion of “a woman’s right to choose” isolates women and frees men from the “burden” of sexual responsibility placing sole responsibility for the unplanned pregnancy onto the woman? Abortion, rather than liberating women burdens them with the responsibility of “choice”? This same culture excludes men from the right to father their children and imposes on men the idea that they have no right to burden women with their thoughts and feelings regarding their unborn child?

The reality of Post-Abortion Trauma testifies to the fact that abortion damages mothers, fathers and society. Should something that is “liberating” also hurt you?