UK: Rise in abortions among women over 40

The number of women having abortions in their 40s has risen by almost one third in a decade, according to national statistics.

In total, 8,179 women aged 40 and over terminated pregnancies last year - including more than 650 women above the age of 45, and 21 women aged 50 and over, the Telegraph reports.

Experts said the dramatic rise reflects increased sexual activity among older women, and higher numbers of single women and divorcees – who are far more likely than previous generations to have casual sex or short-term relationships. The head of Britain’s biggest abortion provider said women in their 40s – dubbed “The Sex and the City generation” – were increasingly inclined to take chances with contraception, only to be shocked when they became pregnant.

Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas), said: “I think women are generally remaining sexually active for longer, and women in their 40s increasingly see themselves as sexual players – whether or not they are in relationships – in a way that they didn’t even a decade ago.”

Many older women, especially those who came off the contraceptive pill because of their age, were inclined to take chances with contraception, only to be “stunned” when they found themselves pregnant, she said.

The figures include women who had opted for abortion when antenatal screening disclosed a high chance of abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome – the risk of which rises with age, said Mrs Furedi. more on >>

Source: http://www.abortionreview.org