IVF and Abortion

Does IVF Change a Woman's Right to Choose?

June 8, 2010

It's a woman's right to choose to end a pregnancy, but should any consideration be given to how she became a mama-to-be? A British Report examines women who use IVF and then abort the fetuses. It said:

Many are in their teens, twenties and early thirties, implying that numerous abortions were carried out for social reasons, rather than on health grounds. Relationship breakdowns, fears about motherhood and simple changes of heart are all likely to have played a part in the terminations.

Do you think there is a difference between terminating an intentional pregnancy versus a surprise one?

Source: Thinkstock

19 Comments

cutefactory 2 years 49 weeks

The proper term is "anti choice" when referring to not allowing a woman autonomy over her body. I'd also be curious to find out how many of the abortions are due to practicing selective reduction. To me, that's a lot different than suddenly changing your mind about being a mom.

Bettye Wayne 2 years 49 weeks

snowy I've noticed that too, most of onsugar is not pro-life friendly.

snowysakurasky 2 years 49 weeks

there should be at least one more option in this poll. or are only pro-choice people welcome on this site?

Bettye Wayne 2 years 49 weeks

Sunday I wondered the same thing, teens getting IVF? That's insane. If you choose to get IVF, and then choose to have an abortion (for non-medical reasons), you're probably not capable of thinking rationally enough to make choices for yourself.

2 years 49 weeks

Huh, I never even thought about the possibility someone would go through IVF and then abort. I'm firmly pro-choice, so I don't think it changes the right to choose. I'm just surprised!

flyinggrip 2 years 49 weeks

This article isn't very specific circumstances of the terminations. Some women go through IVF and end up with multiple fetuses and may choose to selectively reduce for a better shot at a full term pregnancy. Its very difficult to get triplets to term reducing to twins increases the chance that the mother with deliver healthy babies. Not every woman who goes through IVF wants to be octomom!

amandachalynn 2 years 49 weeks

I would think it's very rare for a woman to go through IVF and then panic because she's just realized she's going to be a mother. IVF is a very serious, painful process. Regardless of what I think it's her body, time and money that went into IVF, and it's her decision.

2 years 49 weeks

I was really excited to get pregnant and then when I realized I was, I was suddenly like, "Oh no, what did I just do!? My life is over now!" but that's actually a fairly normal reaction I found out, and once the news had time to set it I started getting excited again. I wonder if some of these women just panicked? But I also agree with above posters that I doubt this is a very statistically significant number of women to begin with.

Zivanod 2 years 49 weeks

I really doubt that there are enough women out there that go through the very expensive and painful process of IVF procedures and then decide to abort for it to be statistically significant at all. Way to pick on a very insignificant amount of people and make it seem like its a lot.

boredgourdless 2 years 49 weeks

It is a woman's choice, plain and simple. Women receiving IVF could abort due to health issues for mother and/or fetus. It could be their life situation has drastically changed. It could be regret, it could be anything. It's really none of our business, but an issue to be resolved between the woman in question and her doctor.

ShaynaLeah 2 years 50 weeks

It's not up to any of us to judge each other's decisions - that's what being Pro Choice is about, letting each woman weigh the factors that are important to her. Putting restrictions on a woman's ability to choose says that it's OK to hold her body hostage - and that is NEVER OK. For more from other young reproductive justice advocates check out the Abortion Gang at http://AbortionGang.org.

schnappycat 2 years 50 weeks

I'm firmly pro-choice, but having done IVF (twice), I definitely find it puzzling why someone would go through all of the effort, pain, time, and money to then abort. Unless it was for unexpected health reasons after pregnancy was achieved. Otherwise, it's bizarre. Typically people who undergo IVF don't do so lightly (and usually only after all other fertility treatments have failed), and are in fact required to undergo many physical tests before even beginning treatment. After reading this, perhaps some mental health testing should also be required.

lickety split 2 years 50 weeks

What does "many" mean? Are we talking 12, or 1,200? Circumstances change, but it's still a woman's body and therefore, to me, her choice.

2 years 50 weeks

If a woman went through the trouble of having IVF... I would assume she'd desperately want a baby. But to go and abort it after that, I think she'd need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist - to avoid such frivolous decisions in the future... Definitely aborting due to health concerns is one thing... but to abort due to social reasons is ridiculous. And over fears of being a mother... every woman has that fear. But having kids changes your view on everything. Having children is the most rewarding thing a person can do!

joeysnotoriogirl 2 years 50 weeks

that's so true unless they've seen what loss and abortion do to a family

hausfrau 2 years 50 weeks

Not surprising at all when so many people consider a baby to be "just a bunch of cells".

jenni5 2 years 50 weeks

I hope they give these people some therapy before performing the abortions but either way I don't think it should change their right to choose.

Sundaydrive 2 years 50 weeks

Health risks can still come up no matter how you get pregnant. Just because you get an abortion after IVF doesn't mean it was purely a social reason. Although I'm sure that does happen to, which just sounds very strange. I could never imagine actually trying to have a baby, wanting a baby, and then doing that. And teens are getting IVF!? What?

Liss 2 years 50 weeks

I don't understand why someone would go through all of that to get pregnant and then have an abortion. That doesn't make any sense.

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19 Comments

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