Anybody else watching it??

Surely they should bring the maximum age of abortions down if babies can live at 23 weeks but also be aborted at 23 weeks????

Not watching it, but agree, personally I think the cut off should be 16 weeks. I really don't like the thought of abortion once a baby looks like a baby so it's always been too long for me anyway.

But I do understand, some people don't know they are pregnant or things happen in their lives, there are obviously reasons why abortion is allowed so far along in development. But, I could happily say 16 weeks unless there are special circumstances which there probably are for some, no-one should be forced to have a child they don't want.

Watched it and thought it was very thought provoking... as a former neo-natal ICU nurse, I can see both sides of the argument for 23 week babies... As a mum I know what I would do, but I also have a friend with a 23 week gestation baby who is nearly 2 now. She will require intensive support for the rest of her life.

I also think the termination limit should be lowered to 16 weeks.

Gabrielle

Having trained as a midwife in the 1960s, when the legal age of viability was 28 weeks, I was initially very doubtful about the wisdom of attempting to resuscitate these very tiny babies. However, in 2003 my daughter-in-law's waters broke at 22 weeks, and she was advised to terminate the pregnancy. What a dilemma! All credit to her, she decided not to do that and to let nature take its course. Little Alyssa was born at 23 weeks, 4 days, and survived in intensive care for 2 and a half days. We held a family funeral service at the grave-side, and she was buried with my late husband, her grand-father. I admire my daughter -in- law so much for what she did, and I am so glad that the little girl was at least given the chance of life.

i found the program too heart breaking to watch,i too think the age for abortion is wrong,but when i asked my midwife about it she said it was because it was no until 20 weeks ish you find out if your baby has downs etc,as a mum,i would turn the machine off,i hate saying it,but i would,my friend had a baby at 22 weeks which died within minutes, another born at 23 weeks and survived who cant walk,has cerebral palsie,trach tube in her throat so cant talk,tube fed,she is a beautiul little girl who knows no different,but its hard to see,she does not live with her mum and lives with a foster family who are experts,
jo

Oh Carene, how very sad.  I hope you're daughter in law went on to have further pregnancy(ies) with no complications.

I don't think anyone has the right to say what is or isn't right.  My views is that a foetus doesn't become a baby until it's born.  When I was pregnant, I don't think I ever really thought of what was inside me as a baby, even after getting a 4d scan to make sure everything was going according to plan, not until I was holding her in my arms.  There are certainly many circumstances that I agree with terminating a pregnancy at whatever stage.  I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone whether or not they can or cannot terminate a pregnancy.  It's a very personal thing and, in my opinion, there are no right or wrongs (in most cases).

Thank you so much. Yes, my daughter-in-law went on to have a successful full-term pregnancy the following year, a much loved third child for the family.

I think a termination is a very personal thing but I only agree with terminations at a late stage if there is something wrong with the baby. I was very shocked when that baby came out wriggling at 23 weeks! I expected you not to be able to make limbs out so early on!

I found that first baby (shown born after a caesarian) utterly heartbreaking as the poor skinny thing gasped as they shoved a tube down it's throat :-(  Very nearly turned off and I can pretty much watch anything.

I'm currently pg with my third and scared about certain eventualities but having watched that, there is absolutely no chance on earth I'd have that happen to my baby should I give birth that early...

Equally I can't believe the age of abortion is so high but can understand the downs point

I couldn't watch it. Like all scenarios we all say " I would do this or that" BUT when it's you or a loved one then things start to become rather personal and sometimes your heart rules your head :(

Our 3rd daughter was born at 31 weeks, I didn't even know I was pregnant until 20 weeks.  I went into labour, put on a trace at the hospital when her heartbeat stopped.  I was rushed off for an emergency C-section, she was basically born dead.  Not breathing, no heart beat, thankfully through ventilation and heart massage she came back to us, we had 6 weeks of ups and downs, bleeds into the brain, infections, blood transfusions, one day off the ventilator next day back on again, one day feeding next day back on tube feeds.  The first pictures I saw of her she was tubed, drips everywhere and two finger print bruises on her chest from heart massage :-(

The day we took her home we were told to expect major learning difficulties etc.  but there was absolutely no way I would have gave up on her, we are still friends with a couple that had twin boys born at 26 weeks, very very tiny, sadly one didn't make it, but the other is a strapping lad now.

Our daughter will be 18 in April, and starts University in September, no learning difficulties, fighting fit!

I did find it very hard to watch though, too many memories even if it was 18 years ago it still feels like yesterday.

I remember being at school many years ago and being shown a video of abortion and the baby's coming out live.  Many of the "harder" girls were in tears and must admit made me think that abortion should be legal for certain circumstances only.

Sorry but I personally don't believe in abortion used for a birth control method- but do agree if the lady was raped, will have problems or if the baby will be born with problems- the world is hard enough... Old enough to lay down old enough to deal with the circumstances- and believe then the baby should be given up not killed..

Just my views on it...

> Old enough to lay down old enough to deal with the circumstances-

I know a woman, she had some sort of cancer in her womb (or something to do with the reproductive organs), when younger and was told she was infertile. 2 years ago (at the age of 39yrs old), she went to the Dr.s as she didn't feel well wnough to cope with work - turned out she was 38 weeks pregnant She had no choice but to keep the baby & is doing a great job, but, the point is, it's not just irrepsonsible people or people who get raped that get pregnanat.......

I decided not to watch this,too many sad memories - 5 miscarriages.It was all so heartless in my day,my waters broke at 20 weeks ,so put on an induction drip,left all alone in a side ward told ring bell when you feel it happening,baby whisked away without my seeing him.My husband was told it was a boy,no question of treating it as a bereavement,just it looked ok so try again.Unfortunately we had a major house fire when I was 14weeks,and baby stopped growing because of shock(litter of 3week old puppies perished)I was admitted to hospital and told on a friday your baby is dead we will induce it after the weekend,I cried all weekend ,but atleast they let my husband stay with me through the labour,but only because a sympathetic night sister came on duty it was not usually allowed.I already had 2 sons from my first marriage,and wanted to give my new husband a baby of his own,which I did eventually succeed in doing,so it was all worth it.I still think about that baby boy and wonder it he could have survived if I had refused to be induced,but I was not given any choice,and prem baby care has progressed so much in the last 30 years.At one point I was told to have an abortion so I would not miscarry later on,I refused but did miscarry,atleast I gave it a chance .!

Oh Rhona, how awful.  I'm so glad you went on to have another baby and that midwiffery has come on leaps and bounds in 30 years.  It seems to have been so cold and cruel 30 years ago.  I'm very grateful for the TLC given by all the staff when I had my miscarriages and again when I had my daughter 3 1/2 years ago.

rhona im so so sorry for your losses,i cant imagine what you went through,i think about when my mum lost my little brother,five months pregnant and it just fell out down the toilet,i was only 5,but i can remember it so well,me running down the street for our neighbour who was a nurse,my mum went on and had a boy a year later,i also agree with what one person said above that its not a baby till its in your arms,pregnancy and all that goes with it is not easy,my thoughts are with you and i am glad you went on to have a healthy baby xx

My mother also lost a baby at 5 months gestation, the doctor simply said to contact him when it was over and took 'it' away.

I think it is horendous that it wasn't viewed as a baby.

I know a woman, she had some sort of cancer in her womb (or something to do with the reproductive organs), when younger and was told she was infertile. 2 years ago (at the age of 39yrs old), she went to the Dr.s as she didn't feel well wnough to cope with work - turned out she was 38 weeks pregnant eek She had no choice but to keep the baby & is doing a great job, but, the point is, it's not just irrepsonsible people or people who get raped that get pregnanat.......

I never said just raped- I said if there are problems on being mom to be or baby- but if both are healthy and abortion is being used as a birth control method then I strongly disagree with it... This is just my views on it- don't expect people to feel the same as I. Have seen so many abortion films due to christian ethics just makes me sick on how they can do that- these babies are not far from term- totally formed lil one's, but I won't go there just feel ill thinking about it... :-(

I dont suppose any of us can say anything unles we have a little experience for ourselves.
With my first I was sent for an Amniocentesis.....whilst recovering from procedure,  sittting having a cup of tea, reading things 'maternity' I realised that this would decide whether or not I would be offered an abortion.
I simply put my arms around my tummy and said 'dont worry baby, you're safe with me'.
Until then I didn't have storng views either way. My baby boy was born safe and well luckily and for subsequent pregnancies I refused the tests as I was very aware of what it would mean.

KAren  :(

I couldn't watch it as it is a little too close to home for me.
My son was born 8 weeks early and I have had 5 miscarriages (4 in the last 12 months) so just the thought of watching it made me want to cry - lord knows how bad I would have been if I actually watched it.

After our stay at NICU we know alot of prem babies and their families and the effects on the children on having been born early vary greatly. My son has no effects from being prem but unfortunately he has a genetic disorder which has left us going back and forth to the hospital alot. We fund raise for our local NICU as we think they did such a good job for us.

As to the abortion limit. It really struck me as a stupid time to set it when I hit 23 weeks with my son and realised that this kicking wriggling baby in my bump that I loved so much could still be terminated if I wanted to - not that I ever would have.

Yes it is a personal decision,I always said I would keep and love my babies no matter how imperfect they were,fortunately my sons were all born healthy,and I am proud of them as grown ups,although like all children they caused a few heartaches along the way.My 5 miscarriages were a cause of sadness each time,but helped to make me the strong person I am now.I survived my major house fire, cancer,bankcruptcy,divorce,widowhood,and numerious operations and house moves ,.every stressfull experience I have tried them all,and am enjoying a peaceful retirement now,with  my dogs.I believe they have kept my spirits up and helped me cope with all the ups and downs over the years