No wonder so several females are having abortions in their 20s | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

‘It’s controversial, but I would like to see the morning-after pill offered to bulk get from pharmacies.’ Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

New Department of Well being statistics have located that mothers are more likely to have abortions than teens pregnant for the very first time, with 53% of the girls who had abortions final yr previously obtaining a child.

The figures demonstrate that 185,331 abortions had been carried out last yr in England and Wales, a rise in line with population enhance. But all round, the price has dropped given that 2003 to 15.9 abortions in one,000.

The most significant drop in abortion rates (a third) was amongst below-18s, even though in my personal age group (25-29) so-named career-girl abortions – not a phrase I will be making use of until “profession man” becomes widespread parlance – have risen twenty% in the past ten many years.

Considering the economic downturn, the rise in abortions amongst my generation makes sense. I barely know anybody who is in a monetary position to help a baby, what with lease increases and spend freezes and widespread unemployment. In a climate in which so a lot of are frightened for their jobs, I’d envision younger ladies are unsure as to what taking maternity leave may mean for their careers in the prolonged run. That’s if they get maternity leave, of program – we freelancers are in an even far more precarious position.

Financial constraints are affecting older women, as well. Households are struggling to make ends meet, and might be unable to afford an additional kid. We also know that the quantity of more than-40s obtaining unprotected sex is rising – partly simply because of divorce and new relationships (even Guardian Soulmates might play a element) but also because, in terms of contraception, they are a much neglected group. Girls will assume they are no longer fertile, or baby boomers may not have utilized contraception the first time round (“It was pre-Aids, darling,” my mom when stated to me). Consequently the Family members Organizing Association campaign of a few years back showcasing ugly 1970s outfits with the tagline: “Don’t forget wearing this? Then keep in mind to dress in this,” with a image of a condom.

That the charge among youngsters has dropped can be seen only as excellent information, reflecting the emphasis that has been positioned on teenage pregnancy more than the past ten years, with schools and sexual wellness charities bombarding teens with contraception. Which is a massive change from my own time at school, when data was difficult to get hold of and the problem rarely talked about.

I always felt that the media hysteria in excess of 13-year-olds being presented the pill was misplaced. Put them all on it, for all I care, because we know it performs, just as we know that decent sex schooling won’t turn 8E into a class of shaggers overnight.

However, I wonder how a lot the rise in abortions taking place in women’s mid-to-late 20s is as relevant to bad accessibility to contraception as it is monetary constraints.

Several close friends have been turned away from Brook clinics right after reaching the cutoff age of 25, and very rightly so. But the gap in services is not being adequately bridged, particularly when you happen to be trying to get an appointment out of doing work hrs. You can get the contraceptive pill with no seeing a doctor by way of Lloyds Pharmacy by filling in a quick questionnaire on the internet and then going to choose it up on the very same day, but a lot of folks are unaware of this. Accessibility to the morning-after pill remains patchy – to receive it for free, you may have to attend a clinic that is miles away. And pharmacists have the appropriate to refuse you services – especially problematic if it’s Sunday and you dwell in a rural spot.

In addition, the frankly scandalous price tag, of £25 (it costs about €7 – £5.60 – in France in excess of the counter) is prohibitive for many who may be unable to attain a free of charge clinic or doctor’s surgical treatment in time.

It’s controversial, but I would like to see the morning-following pill obtainable to bulk-get from pharmacies. At the second, you can purchase it for instant or potential use on the internet (most spots charge £25 but I identified one particular spot that costs £6.50 a pill – duly bookmarked). Worryingly, although, the questionnaires are often not that thorough, and most locations will let you have no more than two at a time.

There is also the 5-day-after pill, EllaOne – a drug barely anyone I know has heard of – that is offered on prescription and, in some places, over the counter.

But I would like to see women of all ages currently being greater informed about their contraceptive choices – there is even now a good deal of stigma and misinformation out there. Let’s make certain that the target on teens doesn’t detract from the require for better contraception services for older ladies.

No wonder so several females are having abortions in their 20s | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett