Pills by post fuels ‘heartbreaking’ rise in abortions

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest that nearly a 3rd of all pregnancies in England and Wales end in abortion.

The figures, which cover the 12 months 2022, show a rise from 2012, when around 20% of pregnancies were terminated.

In 2022, some 247,703 babies were terminated, up 13% from the previous 12 months, when the number was 218,923.

Some surveys have indicated that folks in Britain are generally unaware of the true scale of abortion within the country, with a major proportion believing the number to be 1 / 4 – or lower – of what it actually is.

Christian social policy charity CARE noted that in some regions of the country, abortion ends nearly half of all pregnancies.

The group says the rise in abortions has been driven by the ‘pills by post’ scheme.

‘Pills by post’ was introduced throughout the pandemic lockdowns as a way for girls to conduct abortions at home without the necessity to even be seen by a medical practitioner.

The scheme has been criticised for being open to abuse. One woman was capable of terminate her child well beyond the 24 week legal limit as she was not required to fulfill a medical skilled.

In one other case a person was jailed after obtaining the abortion pills and putting them into his pregnant girlfriend’s drink without her knowledge. She miscarried what would have been her first baby.

CARE’s Director of Advocacy and Policy Caroline Ansell said, “The scale of abortion in England and Wales is heartbreaking for individuals who recognise that each life, irrespective of how tiny, is precious.

“Behind these statistics are women whose stories of trauma and regret are rarely heard in public debate. Understanding that poverty generally is a driving factor is very painful.

“A just and compassionate society provides support so that ladies can carry their babies to term, then take care of their children as they grow and develop.”

Ansell noted that the recent vote to decriminalise abortion as much as the purpose of birth was prone to make the situation far worse. She also described the ‘pills by post’ scheme as “dangerous”.

“We must return to a right understanding on this issue. Both lives matter in every pregnancy, and each mums and babies have to be protected and cherished,” she said.