Have
a look at the common questions and queries we receive on our National Helpline.
Click on a question or query to reveal the answer.
Q. I think I might be pregnant.
Q. I'm pregnant and can't have
it.
Q. My girlfriend tells me she
is pregnant. I don't believe it is my child.
Q. I've booked in to have an
abortion but nobody has told me what will happen.
Q. I've had unprotected sex - I
don't want to be pregnant - what can I do?
Q. My wife is determined
to have an abortion. I really do not want her to have one. We can afford a
baby.
Q. I have had an
abortion and I feel dreadful.
Q. I'm pregnant and I know I
won't be able to stay at home if I want to keep my baby. Can LIFE help?
Q. I don't seem to be able to
conceive.
Q. Am I entitled to Statutory
Maternity Pay?
Q. I've been told that if I
have an abortion I could become sterile. Is this true?
Q. Where can I get a pregnancy
test?
Q. I'm pregnant and can't keep
the baby, and would like to know more about adoption.
Q. I'm pregnant. I'm a student.
What help can I get?
Q.
My daughter is pregnant and says she wants an abortion. I'm sure that since she
loves babies she will regret it.
Q. I'm pregnant and losing spots
of blood.
Q. I've been told my unborn
baby's heart is beating at 8 weeks - is this true?
If you want any more information about any of
the above, use the contact page or call
our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600.
Q. I think I might be pregnant.
A. Have you good reason for thinking this? If
so, you can go along to one of our Care Centres for a pregnancy test which is
free and confidential, it gives immediate results, and you also have the chance
to talk with one of our skilled helpers. Call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 for details of your nearest Care Centre. Remember you are not alone, don't
panic. We are waiting to hear from you and help you.
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Q. I'm pregnant and can't have it.
A. Has the pregnancy been confirmed? If not,
you can go along to one of our Care Centres for a pregnancy test, which will
give you immediate results. You say you can't have it, lets talk. Talking
through your problems with someone you don't know can often help. It gives you
time and space to think things through. Why not call our National Helpline 0800 915 4600 for a chat with one of ourskilled helpers, who are there to talk to
you and talk through your problems.
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Q. My girlfriend tells me she is pregnant. I don't believe it is my child.
A. If you call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 we can make arrangements for a skilled helper to talk with you both
either together or seperately.
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Q . I've booked in to have an abortion but nobody has told me what
will happen.
A. Before you go through with an abortion, you
should first make sure that you have received the correct counselling, which
will explain not only the correct medical procedure but also the emotional
aspects. Post Abortion Syndrome is now a recognised heath condition. Why not
call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 and talk through your feelings with
one of our trained skilled helpers.
The method of abortion will depend on how pregnant you are. if you are still in
the first trimester (first three months of pregnancy) one of the following
methods is likely to be used.
Medical (i.e. chemical) abortion
Especially in the early stages of pregnancy the abortion pill may be used. This
is called a medical abortion. This involves taking two drugs 48 hours apart.
The first drug (mifepristone, also known as RU486) blocks the action of the
hormone that makes the lining of the womb suitable for the new human being to
live. A women will normally go home, returning 48 hours later for stage 2 of
the process. The second drug (prostaglandin) is given 48 hours later and causes
the womb to cramp and contract. The lining of the womb breaks down and is lost
along with the baby through bleeding from the vagina. This part of the process
can be painful although pain-killing medication can be given.
The drugs used in this process can make some women feel sick and in some cases
they may vomit or have diarrhoea.
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the safety of the RU486. A
number of deaths and severe complications have been related to this form of
abortion.
http://www.lifeissues.org/ru486/deaths.htm
Vacuum Aspiration
A plastic suction tube is inserted through the neck of the womb
(the cervix). A pump is then connected to the tube and this sucks
out the foetus along with other tissue associated with the pregnancy.
The word foetus is Latin for 'young one' or 'offspring', it simply
means baby. After a vacuum aspiration abortion there can be bleeding
for up to 14 days. Vacuum aspiration abortions can be carried out
under a local or general anaesthetic.
Dilation and Evacuation
This is carried out under anaesthetic. The process involves stretching the neck
of the womb (the cervix) wide enough for forceps to be used to remove the baby.
Vacuum aspiration may be used afterwards to ensure that no tissue is left
inside the womb. If any parts of the baby are left inside the women, infection
may occur. There may be some bleeding after the abortion for up to 14 days.
Between 20 and 24 weeks, there are two methods of abortion. The first is known
as a surgical two-stage abortion. Each stage requires a general anaesthetic.
Stage 1 involves stopping the heart beat of the baby and widening the neck of
the womb (cervix).
Stage 2 is carried out the following day and involves removing the foetus and
other tissue associated with the pregnancy using the Dilation and Evacuation
method. If the neck of the womb has not been opened enough forceps will be used
to crush the head of the baby making it easier to remove. Surgical two-stage
abortions usually require an overnight stay in hospital.
The second option is known as a medically induced abortion (or medical
induction abortion) and is similar to a late miscarriage. The drug
prostaglandin is injected into the womb and this causes it to contract strongly
as in labour. This can last for around 6-12 hours. During the process the woman
remains awake and may be given drugs to control the pain. The women will
deliver the baby as if in childbirth. The abortionist will aim to kill the baby
before birth using a poison. In some cases the baby may be alive for a short
time after delivery. Afterwards the Dilation and Evacuation process may be
necessary to ensure that the womb is completely empty, or else infection may
occur.
Like a two-stage surgical abortion, medically induced abortions usually require
an overnight stay in hospital. As with all abortions, if a woman experiences
heavy bleeding after leaving the hospital, or a lot of pain or a high
temperature, she should seek medical help.
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp?TopicID=1&AreaID=2590&LinkID=1996
Back to questions
Q. I've had unprotected sex - I don't want to be pregnant - what can I do?
A. Try not to panic - Call our National
Helpline on 0800 915 4600 and talk it through, remember you don't conceive
every time you have intercourse. Talk to one of our skilled helpers, they will
be able to clarify the situation.
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Q. My wife is determined to have an abortion. I really do not want her to have
one. We can afford a baby.
A. Whatever decision is made here is going to
hurt one of you and your relationship, unless you receive some counselling. Ask
your wife to phone our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 if she would like to
talk it through. We can talk to both of you by phone or put you in touch with a
skilled helper. It is essential that your wife receives the correct advice
before she goes ahead with the abortion. This should tell her not only about
the medical aspect of the abortion but also the emotional health risk which
goes with abortion. Post Abortion Trauma is a recognised woman's health issue.
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Q.
I have had an abortion and I feel dreadful.
A. This is very true of many women who undergo
abortion, for whatever reason. You are not alone. We can really help you
through this with our post abortion counselling service. Call our National
Helpline on 0800 915 4600 which is staffed by experienced Skilled Helpers how
are there to listen or can refer you to a local Skilled Helper. The National
Helpline is open Monday to Friday 9-9pm, Saturday 9-5pm. Our counselling
service is free and confidential. Please call us now.
Back to questions
Q. I'm pregnant and I know I won't be able to stay at home if I want to keep my
baby. Can LIFE help?
A. LIFE may be able to offer you accommodation
in one of the LIFE houses, but for further information please contact LIFE
Housing on 0870 417 7777 or visit www.lifehousing.co.uk
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Q. I don't seem to be able to conceive.
A. LIFE FertilityCare Programme is a method of
managing fertility which enables couples to understand, and promote their
fertility in a way which enhances their sense of self-worth and wholeness and
their love for one another. It teaches couples how their fertility works. For
further information on the LIFE FertilityCare Programme call 0151 228 0353 or
visit the website at www.lifefertilitycare.co.uk
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Q. Am I entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay?
A. Benefits and entitlements frequently
change. Up to the minute information is available from the Benefits Agency
website. To find out more information get in touch with your local
security office. For nearest office details look for the Benefits Agency
display advert in the business numbers section of the phone book.
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Q. I've been told that if I have an abortion I could become sterile. Is this
true?
A. Sadly, for some women this can be true. At
the time of the abortion infection can occur causing blockage of the fallopian
tubes. A further complication can be perforation or rupture of the uterus
caused by instruments used in abortion.
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Q. Where can I get a pregnancy test?
A. If you live near any of
LIFE's Care Centre Centres you can get a free one with immediate
results. Call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 for information
on the nearest care centre to you. Otherwise you may be able to
get one from your GP's surgery, or buy one from a local chemist.
if you need to talk following the results please call the National
Helpline.
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Q. I'm pregnant and can't keep the baby, and would like to know more about
adoption
A. The Association of British Adoption and
Fostering Agencies (020 7539 2000 or
www.baaf.org.uk), or your local Social Services (Adoption Department)
can help. If you have a particular religion and would like the baby raised in
that religion there are denominational agencies. Another useful number to
contact is ASIS (Adoption Support on Society Today) 01823 253026.
Back to questions
Q. I'm pregnant. I'm a
student. What help can I get?
A. Contact our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 and we will put you in touch with your nearest LIFE Care Centre, which
will be very happy to help you get together all the items necessary for your
baby. You will find your course tutor and student union very supportive. The
type of allowances you will be eligible for depends on whether you are in full
or part-time education. If your are an overseas students certain terms and
conditions apply relating to your visa. LIFE can help you call National
Helpline on 0800 915 4600. Once the baby is born you can claim child benefit.
Housing Benefit is also available if you are in rented accommodation. Please
phone us for further information on 0800 915 4600, or contact Maternity
Alliance on 020 7588 8582 or visit their
website by clicking here.
Back to questions
Q. My daughter is pregnant and says she wants an abortion. I'm sure that since
she loves babies she will regret it.
A. It is very important that your daughter
look at all the options and the support that goes with each. Then and only then
can she make a informed decision. Suggest to her that she phones our National
Helpline on 0800 915 4600 where she can talk to one of our trained skilled
helpers or she can be put in contact with her local LIFE Care Centre where she
can talk through her feelings with a counsellor in a calm and safe environment.
Back to questions
Q. I'm pregnant and losing
spots of blood.
A. You should phone your GP straight away. In
the meantime rest as much as you can. Many women lose spots of blood at the
time a period would have been due.
Back to questions
Q. I've been told my unborn baby's heart is beating at 8 weeks - is this true?
A .It is true the baby's heart is beating at 8
weeks. In fact it started beating at 21 days, probably about the time you
discovered you were pregnant. For more information, view our baby development
timeline by clicking here.
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