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Coping with an unplanned pregnancy

Terminating a pregnancy is a major decision and a difficult one to make. Dr Sarah Brewer outlines the options

Despite the availability of effective contraception, it is estimated that one in three babies is unplanned - though not necessarily unwanted. Many unplanned pregnancies end in abortion, which is the voluntary termination of pregnancy. If you do find yourself unexpectedly pregnant and are unsure whether you want to give birth to the baby, it's important to consider all your options carefully so as to make the right decision for you.

Your options include keeping the baby, having the baby cared for by relatives more able to take on this responsibility than yourself, having the baby adopted through an agency, or having a termination of pregnancy. Abortion is a legal procedure and every woman's right, should she not want to go through with the pregnancy.

Termination for abnormality
Sadly, between 2 and 5 per cent of babies conceived have a congenital abnormality, which may be associated with a variety of special needs. This will usually be detected during the routine ultrasound scans and, if the abnormality is severe, you may be offered a termination for abnormality. When faced with having to make such a difficult decision, it may help to know that the national charity, Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC), is available to befriend and support those considering antenatal testing, those who are waiting anxiously for test results, and those who are faced with the difficult decision about whether or not to end an abnormal pregnancy.

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