My name is Ana Maria and I had an abortion at 23 weeks. This is a significant decision for any woman to make and one I bitterly regret. I was not informed that my baby would feel pain in the abortion or that it stood a reasonable chance of survival if it had been born. Had I been told this I would not have had an abortion. 

I am bringing this legal case to ensure that clinics must provide women with all the information necessary to make such a life-changing decision. I will not be receiving any compensation.

My own story is that I was told by a gynaecologist that I would never be able to have children. As a result I only had a pregnancy test whilst five months’ pregnant. I was in two minds having spoken to a pro-life counsellor but arranged to have a termination in London. At the clinic I asked to see the scan of the child and was told this was not possible and when I asked what the procedure involved I was informed that it was simply a case of taking a general anaesthetic and waking up after the procedure. 

After the abortion, I became deeply distressed  to discover online what the abortion of my baby at 23 weeks would have involved and that it would have suffered pain in the process. I also did not realise and was not told by the clinic that my baby was capable of being born alive. As a result of my experience I have suffered significant depression. I want to ensure that other women in my position are given the necessary information so that they do not regret making a wrong decision.

My lawyers have obtained expert medical evidence that shows my baby would have suffered pain. 

The practices of abortion clinics are governed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) Guidelines. My legal case is seeking to change and update these guidelines to ensure that:

1. Women should be informed that the baby may suffer pain as a result of the medical or surgical abortion from at least 18 weeks gestation, if not earlier;

2. Pain relief should be given to the baby prior to surgical abortion from 18 weeks gestation; and

3. Women should be informed that a baby of 22 weeks gestation or more has a chance of survival outside of the womb. 

This challenge will only succeed with your support. Litigation is very expensive, and I need your help to ensure that the NICE Guidelines are changed to protect women in situations similar to mine from making life changing decisions without being informed about key information. 

I have a great team of lawyers backed with medical evidence to take on this case. My initial ask is for £10,000 to begin the case. We will need up to £80,000 to take this case to trial. If there are any excess funds these will be used for another case to help protect the lives of unborn babies.
Thank you for your support. Together we can ensure that clinical guidelines provide vulnerable women with all the information they need to make one of the biggest decisions of their life.

See media coverage: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8281321/Landmark-legal-bid-force-clinics-tell-women-truth-involved-abortion.html