‘It is an aw inspiring force, the iron determination of a woman who refuses to gear a child that she knows she cannot mother’.

Nobody else has the right to judge or question her decision. My first response was to wonder why she had to proceed with the pregnancy to that stage; why it wasn’t carried out in a hospital much earlier and if so, why she wasn’t kept there until the procedure was over?

Every 11 minutes, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from either a complicated pregnancy and/or birth; an abortion or some other gynecological/obstetric problem. That’s an awful statistic. I’ve been at my computer for over an hour - that’s at least 6 women who’ve died! A child dies every 30 seconds or so - we should be moved by that disgraceful statistic also! It’s not that there’s not enough money, it’s all part of the attitude to women - as opposed to that by decision makers re weapons that kill heaps of them in one go!

In my opinion, we should be advocating the right of women to have autonomy over their fertility and have safe health systems in place to care for them, including abortions. There should also be more money on contraception; education to both males and females about sexual responsibility and most important, education for young people about respectful relationships!

There’s a book entitled ‘Lost’ which includes the stories of women in the past (in Australia)who were forced to backyard abortionists. I was shocked, sickened by the lack of responsibility of too many men, medical people etc, and filled with sad awe for the lengths women went to when confronting an unwanted pregnancy! I suggest you read it!It has broadened my knowledge, and given me insight into this awful dilemma that too many women have to face.

I also ask you to reflect on the fact, that men are always ‘let off the hook’ in these matters. This should discontinue!

What a curious statement. Is there no chance that the parents might come to love the child once it is born? Or that adoption can never lead to happiness?