Abortion Time Limits

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 12:13 pm on 19 July 2005.

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Photo of Caroline Flint Caroline Flint Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health) 12:13, 19 July 2005

I will not give way; I have only four minutes left.

Quite rightly, concerns were raised about the safety of people who have a termination and whether they are given full information about the possible consequences. It should certainly be discussed with a woman by those from whom she is seeking advice about services.

Abortion, both medical and surgical, is a very safe procedure and complications are uncommon. Deaths following abortion are extremely rare, with about one death a year out of about 180,000 abortions. It is a Government requirement that all maternal deaths should be subject to confidential inquiry and all health professionals have a duty to provide the information required. Maternal deaths in the UK for all women are at a rate of 53 per million maternities, compared with about five per million abortions. Pregnancies are not risk free, and it is important to see the risk involved in abortion in the context of other complications that arise out of pregnancy. I hope that provides those listening to or reading the debate with the context for issues of health and abortion.

Any woman considering an abortion must have all the facts, including accurate information about possible complications, so that she can make an informed choice. Some studies suggest that rates of psychiatric illness or self-harm are higher among women who have had an abortion compared to women who give birth or non-pregnant women of similar age. It must be borne in mind that these findings do not imply a causal association and may reflect some continuation of pre-existing conditions, which may or may not have contributed to the pregnancy in the first place.

My hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Middleton is absolutely right. The woman concerned should be given support and counselling.