Key Facts about Abortion in the UK
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Before abortion was legal many women had �back street� abortions - illegal abortions performed by untrained people. Many women were seriously injured and about 30 died each year.

 

1967 Abortion Act in Parliament - made abortion legal if performed in the first 28 weeks.

 

1990 Human fertilization & Embryology act reduced the time to 24 weeks.

 

It can only be performed if 2 doctors agree one of the following:
             There is a risk to the mother�s life if pregnancy continues.
               Risk of injury to the mental or physical health of the mother.
               Substantial risk if the child was born it would suffer from physical or mental  
               abnormalities.
               Risk to the physical or mental well being of her existing children if the pregnancy 
               continues.

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