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Pregnancy & Childcare

Anytime you have sex you risk becoming pregnant. Contraception greatly reduces the risk but is not foolproof. Many are lucky, but some find themselves in the position of having an unwanted pregnancy. If you are in this position, the important thing to remember is that there are plenty of people and organisations who can help you.

Although your life will definitely change you don't have to stop living. Reading this section may be of some help but you can also see the Union Welfare Officer and they can offer advice or put you in touch with someone that can help. Your visit will be treated in total confidence. You are strongly advised to seek professional, non-directive counselling if you are pregnant. You will be confused at first, you may not know what to do. You should talk to an agency which will support you and offer non-judgmental advice. The Irish Family Planning Association will help you with regard to all options as well as advising on future contraceptive needs. Counselling at the IFPA is free of charge to students. The IFPA will provide post-abortion counselling free of charge.

In the case of an unwanted pregnancy it is important to take some time when making your decision. It is important to remember that the decision rests ultimately with you. An unwanted pregnancy is not the end of the world, despite what you may think! Firstly it is important to have a pregnancy test. If positive, they you can start to consider the options available to you. A problem shared is a problem halved - you will be surprised how much easier it can be to put things into perspective once you have talked to somebody.

How do I know if I'm pregnant?

Early symptoms include a missed period, nausea or morning sickness, a heavy or painful feeling in your breasts, excessive tiredness, period type pains with no bleeding or slight discharge, a slight change in the colour of your nipples. Not all women experience these symptoms so if your period is late and there is the slightest chance that you may be pregnant, have the test done immediately.

Pregnancy Test

If your period is 14 days overdue you should go for a pregnancy test. You simply need to bring an early morning urine sample to your doctor or a maternity hospital. Once the pregnancy has been confirmed you can fully explore all the options open to you.

"Now that I am pregnant, what are the options open to me?"

1. Continue the pregnancy and keep the baby.

2. Go ahead with the pregnancy and give the baby to another family, either temporarily (foster home) or permanently (adoption).

3. Terminate the pregnancy.

Keeping the baby

Medical Care: Once you discover you are pregnant and have decided to keep the child you should go to a hospital or doctor for a check-up. Regular check-ups are important to make sure you and your baby stay healthy. Be sure not to miss any visits. You should book into hospital for delivery early in your pregnancy. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco can damage your baby.

Accommodation

While staying at home is nearly always best for you, some women may find themselves homeless as a result of pregnancy. If this is the case you need to find somewhere to live as quickly as possible. The Welfare Officer may be able to help or alternatively you could contact CURA who have mother and baby homes and can provide you with a place to live.

Finance

It is important to find out all your benefits and grants entitlements e.g. child benefit and single parent allowance from the Department of Social Welfare. If you do not have a Medical Card you should contact your local Health Centre and apply for one, as most single pregnant women with insufficient income are eligible. Single mothers can claim Lone Parents Allowance from the Department of Social Welfare. This allowance is means-tested and varies depending on the mother's income and financial situation. As a student you may be eligible for Student Asssitance Award - contact your Welfare Officer. Also, if you have previously had an application for a grant refused, you should re-apply as your situation has changed and you may now be eligible for one. You are also entitled to seek maintenance from the father of the child. If the father is unwilling to provide maintenance you can apply to the Court for an Order of Payment. To get such an Order, paternity (fatherhood) must be proven and this usually done through use of blood tests.

Registration of Birth

Within three months of your child's birth, he/she must be registered. You must decide whether the father's name is to be entered. Once entered it cannot be removed so you should take time to decide.

CHILDCARE

Adoption

Adoption is a process where you continue with your pregnancy and give the child up to a family. A permanent legal relationship is created between the adoptive parents and the child. If you are considering this option it is important to talk to a social worker about it in early pregnancy. After the baby is born you will be asked to sign the consent form. Sometime after the baby is placed, the adoptive couple will apply for an Adoption Order. After that you will be asked to sign the final consent to the Adoption Order. You will be in contact with a Social Worker whose job it is to make sure you are placing your child for adoption of your own free will. Once you have signed the order, all your duties and rights cease with respect to the child.

Foster Care

This is an option sometimes taken by women who are unsure about the option of adoption but unable to look after the child at that particular time. It involves the placement of a child with a family or individual who would provide for the needs of the child but the natural parent retains parental rights.

It usually involves some sort of financial arrangement. It can be arranged through the Health Boards or privately, although the local health board must be notified. A lot of women find fostering an ideal temporary solution. It can be especially helpful during the first few months allowing the women time to decide about keeping the baby or to sort out problems like accommodation.

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Abortion

You may decide for a variety of reasons not to go ahead with the pregnancy and to have an abortion. This can be a major decision in your life. You may sometimes feel you have to make it in secrecy and in a hurry, however, it is advisable to give it time and consideration and to seek non-directive counselling. Counselling staff do not make a judgement on your choices they will offer you practical support and advice and they will encourage you to take time to consider all your options carefully before you make a decision. At the Irish Family Planning Association you will be given counselling (the number of times you want to go for counselling is up to you).

Similarly, they run a support group for women who have terminated pregnancies and offer free post-abortive counselling and contraceptive advice. As you may know, abortion is unavailable in Ireland and you will have to travel to Britain to have the operation. If you decide to have an abortion there are certain conditions which must be satisfied.

The 1967 Abortion Act in Britain, does not give women the right to terminate their pregnancies on demand. Two doctors have to agree that if a woman continues with her pregnancy her own health is in danger, or if the child were born that there could be a substantial risk that it would suffer from mental or physical abnormalities and so be severely handicapped.

These grounds may be interpreted widely or narrowly. You must sign a form consenting to the treatment you will receive. For some clinics a non-resident must be in the country for at least 24 hours before the operation is carried out. For Irish women the operation will be carried out under general anaesthetic and they must spend the night following the operation in the clinic. Women must obtain counselling before they decide to proceed with the abortion. Most clinics will not operate after 22 weeks of pregnancy.

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Abortion Medical Procedures

8-12 weeks

The usual method is the vacuum suction or dilation and evacuation method, where the cervix is dilated to 7-9mm to allow a tube to be inserted into the womb. The contents are then removed by suction. The procedure is simple and carries few dangers and it takes almost 10 minutes, usually performed with a mild general anaesthetic.

12-16 weeks

The D&C method (Dilation and Curettage) is used, whereby the cervix is dilated to 11-12mm and a curette is inserted into the womb to remove the contents. This is also a safe and simple method which takes 10 mins, some clinics perform this up to 18 weeks of the pregnancy.

16-22 weeks

After 16-18 weeks and up to 22 weeks, it is considered safer to induce a miscarriage which may done by inserting a needle through the lower abdominal wall into the womb, draining the amniotic fluid and replacing it with a solution of urea and prostaglandin. This injection causes a miscarriage and induces contractions which usually begin about 10-15 minutes after the injection. After 8-24 hours of labour the foetus is delivered in a "still birth". This method means that you would have to stay another 24 hours in the clinic.

Please Remember

1. Make arrangements for the operation before you go to Britain. Do not go on spec unless you have plenty of time at your disposal.

2. Prices vary depending on the method of abortion and on the clinic.

3. Depending on your circumstances and the clinic chosen the quickest period over which you can have an abortion is now 3 days. Although for some clinics this period has been shortened considerably.

Day 1: Counselling session, visit to doctor (called consultation)

Day 2: Operation and stay the night

Day 3. Discharged.

Before the Operation:

Do not eat or drink from midnight before the operation. Bring a nightdress and plenty of sanitary towels. (You cannot use tampons for 4-6 weeks after operation).

The Operation

It is performed under the general anaesthetic. When you wake up you may experience cramps which are similar to period pains. They are caused by the womb contracting into place.

After the Operation

You will bleed afterwards for anything from a week to three weeks. Do not sue tampons or have sexual intercourse until you have your 6 week check-up as this can cause infections. All Irish women are given antibiotics before leaving.

When your are discharged:

For 24 hours after the operation, do not drink alcohol or drive. Try to rest as much as possible. There is no safe period after an abortion - you can become pregnant immediately.

Post Abortion Check-up:

It is very important to have a check-up 6 weeks after the operation. This is completely legal and very important. A sympathetic doctor or the IFPA will do it for you.

Accommodation:

You have to make you own arrangements for the 1 st night.

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Escort:

Escort is a service in Liverpool set up to help Irish Women travelling for an abortion. They will meet you at the airport, take you to and from the clinic, put you up in their home for the first night and bring you back to the airport. While you have to pay for your operation and travel all other expenses are met by ESCORT. This can be arranged through the Students' Union. Contact the Welfare Officer for help and remember your visit will be dealt with in confidence. The Irish Women's Abortion Support Group. Like ESCORT, this is an informal group of Irish Women in London who offer the same help to women travelling to London although they cannot help financially, they can offer accommodation etc, again contact through your SU.

Post Abortion Counselling

"How will I feel afterwards?" After an abortion most women feel relief, some a little sadness, because in other circumstances, they might have welcomed the pregnancy. Also hormone levels change during pregnancy and are altered suddenly by abortion which may cause some women to feel depressed until their hormone levels get back to normal. Some women feel more upset than they can cope with alone and may need help from an understanding friend, a relative or a professional counsellor. Post abortion counselling is available from the IFPA.

Menstruation:

Your next period will occur 2-6 weeks after the operation. Many women find that they suffer from severe PMT before their first period after the operation. This is nothing to worry about and it is a sign that your body is adjusting to not being pregnant. You are strongly advised to seek non-directive pregnancy counselling here in Ireland before you decide to contact any of the above organisations.

Miscarriage:

A miscarriage is a very distressing event and women often feel isolated, often feeling that their grief is not understood and that many of their questions remain unanswered.

Medical Definition:

"A miscarriage is defined as a termination of a pregnancy prior to the foetus achieving a weight of 500grms or a gestation period of 27-28 weeks." About 15% of all pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriage, although the exact incidence is difficult to determine. Some miscarriages take place very early in pregnancy before the woman even suspects she is pregnant.

This is a likely explanation for a period that is a little late and heavier than usual. It is estimated that about 14,000 women miscarry spontaneously every year in Ireland.

Symptoms of Miscarriage

Most miscarriages start with bleeding and pain of some sort whether mild or severe. The blood may be of any colour from bright red, as in fresh blood, to dark brown, as with older, stale blood. The pain is usually in the lower back, stomach or thighs. Many women describe feeling unwell for several days beforehand. They may complain of flu-like symptoms and nausea or they may simply have a feeling that something is wrong.

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Types of Miscarriage

An inevitable miscarriage

If a woman has been threatening to miscarry there may come a point of no return. This happens when the cervix or the neck of the womb starts to dilate and open up. Once this action starts it is unlikely the pregnancy will be saved. Bleeding and pain are the outstanding features here. There may also be associated nausea and vomiting and in many cases large pieces of tissue are passed.

Incomplete Miscarriage

As a woman miscarries sometimes not all of the products of conception are passed from the womb. There is usually continuous bleeding and cramp pains. Sometimes an ultrasound exam is carried out to confirm the diagnosis. Preparation is then made to take the woman to theatre and to remove the curettage (d&c), under general anaesthesia, the remaining pieces of tissue inside the womb. The whole procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Complete Miscarriage

When a complete miscarriage occurs all the products of conception have been passed from the womb. This type of miscarriage occurs most frequently before 6-8 weeks or after 14-16 weeks and seldom in the intervening period. Treatment will include continued observation of blood loss in hospital. Where some tissue still remains a curettage will be necessary.

A Missed Miscarriage

In this type of miscarriage the embryo fails to develop in the womb and instead of being passed from the womb it is retained inside. There is little or no bleeding perhaps just a dark brown discharge from the vagina. The woman will spontaneously miscarry the foetus but this may not happen for several weeks after the initial bleed. Alternatively treatment can consist of a gentle curettage.

Causes of Miscarriage

Factors that are believed to be related to an increased risk of miscarriage include: errors in the development of the foetus. These errors may range from minor abnormalalities in the development of the foetus to a situation where the foetus has scarcely developed at all. In some cases these errors in development are due to genetic error.

Hormonal causes

One of the most persistent theories about miscarriages has put the emphasis on low levels of female sex hormones. Fortunately successful treatment is available for these hormonal problems and women with such problems can have their hormone levels boosted with injections or tablets.

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A physical cause

Occasionally the womb may be an unusual shape and this may cause an increased likelihood of miscarriage both before and after 14 weeks. Additional information may be obtained from the Miscarriage Association of Ireland. Ph: 837 0590 (4-6pm)

N.B. Any calculations regarding the percentage of conceptions that result in miscarriage are estimates owing to the difficulty in compiling firm data concerning early miscarriages (before 6 weeks).

Most early miscarriages go unrecognised and are dismissed as late or heavy periods.