Figures reveal shocking numbers of teenage abortions

Dec 13 2009 by Robert Weatherall, Sunday Sun

She added: “An abortion can be a very physically and emotionally damaging experience for a woman. There is a view out there that it is a simple quick procedure and while that may be true for some it doesn’t take into account the psychological impact.

“We have young women who come to us who deeply regret what they have done and need help in grieving.”

Denise Haygar, fertility control manager with Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, deals with women having terminations.

She said the figures don’t surprise her and that some young women pay scant regard to contraception.

She said: “If they put a bit of weight on or suffer headaches they blame their contraception and stop using it. For others they will leave here with a three-month supply of the Pill, and when it is used up not bother getting another supply.”

Nationally more than 5,218 teenagers had at least two abortions last year.

Kate Smurthwaite, an executive member of the pro-choice campaign Abortion Rights, said it was important that pregnant teenagers had the option to terminate unwanted babies.

She said: “There are a lot of teenagers who use contraception and if that fails then it’s important they have the option of an abortion.

“It’s important youngsters are given proper sex education so they can fully learn about their bodies when they are at an age when they are not embarrassed.

“There are a lot of organisations purporting to give advice to pregnant youngsters on what they should and shouldn’t do, but often these are like readings from the Old Testament.”

Department of Health figures on repeat abortions by Strategic Health Authority area 2008
Under 20’s

County Durham - 27
Cumbria - 26
Darlington - n/a
Gateshead - 12
Hartlepool - n/a
Middlesbrough - 23
Newcastle - 24
North Tees - 18
North Tyneside - 18
North Yorkshire and York - 37
Northumberland - 14
Redcar and Cleveland - n/a
South Tyneside - n/a
Sunderland Teaching - 22

Total 221