A leading Scottish medic has spoken out against DIY abortion stating that women may be unaware of the “trauma of having an abortion, potentially all alone, at home.”
Isle of Harris GP and chairman of the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, Dr Anthony Latham, has issued a warning about the dangers of DIY abortion. The doctor’s warning follows the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will consider making the DIY abortion programme permanent.
Significant bleeding and sepsis
Dr Anthony Latham said: “Deciding to have or not to have an abortion is such an important moment in a woman’s life. Any decision about this must be done only after unrushed face-to-face counselling.
“One [danger] is that the woman is under pressure to have an abortion in an abusive relationship or from relatives who will not support her.
“Another danger is she may not fully understand the trauma of having an abortion, potentially all alone, at home.
“Significant bleeding and sepsis are not uncommon…”
SPUC supporters will make their voices heard in Scottish consultation
The Scottish Government is currently “seeking views” on whether or not to make home abortions permanent. The consultation ends 5 January 2021.
Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: “Whether or not an unborn baby should be killed is not something that should ever be the subject of a consultation. However, we will take advantage of the opportunity to highlight the particular horrors of the home abortion regime.
“DIY Home abortion provision is a travesty that should never have been introduced. Allowing women to take powerful drugs alone at home shows a complete lack of care and respect for women, as well as further devaluing the value of human life in the womb.
“As we feared from the beginning, DIY abortion has proved impossible to regulate. In recent months, we have seen reports that in England babies have died after their mothers took abortion the pills past the legal and medical limit. A mystery shopper exercise found that abortion providers have been sending out pills to women without even basic checks.”
SPUC has produced a briefing to help people in Scotland to respond to the consultation and make their voices heard. You can take see the briefing and take part in the consultation here.