Social Science
‘Still travelling’: Access to abortion post-12 weeks gestation in Ireland
Lorraine Grimes,
Joanna Mishtal,
Joanna Mishtal
Department of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States of America
Karli Reeves,
Karli Reeves
Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States of America
Dyuti Chakravarty,
Bianca Stifani,
Bianca Stifani
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, United States of America
Wendy Chavkin,
Deirdre Duffy,
Deirdre Duffy
Senior Lecturer in Sociology (Global Social Inequalities), Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
Trish Horgan,
Mary Favier,
Mark Murphy,
Antonella F. Lavelanet
Antonella F. Lavelanet
Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Switzerland
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
This article focuses on access to abortion in Ireland post-12 weeks gestational age. It critically examines abortion access under the legislative sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) process, as well as the appeals process in place. We highlight existing ambiguities in diagnosing and certifying cases of risk to health during pregnancy, particularly mental health, as well as the challenges in diagnosing and certifying cases of fatal fetal abnormality (FFA). The article incorporates service users' experiences in obtaining abortion in Ireland post-12 weeks, particularly in cases of FFA, and includes recommendations for policy and legislative change.
