The rise of the 30-something abortion

You may think terminations only happen to irresponsible teenagers, but increasing numbers of successful thirtysomething women are having abortions. Yvonne Illsley finds out why

It’s Thursday morning and Louisa Jennings* is dressed in a thick towelling robe, reclining on a lounger and gazing into the bright sunshine. ‘Are you OK, honey?’ a white-coated technician asks her. ‘Can I get you a glass of juice?’ Louisa shakes her head and resumes her staring. Finally the door opens and a nurse walks in. ‘We’re ready for you now,’ she says. ‘Come this way.’ Louisa rises from her chair with a determined look on her face. ‘Wish me luck,’ she whispers to no one in particular, because, despite the fluffy robe, Louisa is not at a spa. She’s spending the day at an abortion clinic, terminating a pregnancy that is unwanted and unplanned.

I knew I had to hoist myself back into the dating saddle, but I faltered – what if I was hurt and disappointed again? I worked in a very chauvinistic environment – commercial property acquisition – and I didn’t want to go out with men like that, who would masquerade as nice guys until they got you into bed, then never call again. I needed a band-aid boyfriend. Someone to patch up my tattered self-esteem, rather than trash my heart; someone to soothe my ego and propel me back into the dating game feeling stronger.

If your idea of the typical woman seeking an abortion is a teenager too young to cope or a twentysomething who’s been careless after a boozy night out, think again. Louisa is 33 and married, a successful advertising consultant who owns her own home. Yet she does not feel ready to have a baby. ‘My husband and I took a risk,’ she explains. ‘We had sex without a condom and were shocked when I found I was pregnant. It was a rookie mistake. But there’s no way I could have this baby. I’m the major wage earner and, because I’m self-employed, I’m not entitled to maternity pay. We’ve recently bought a house and without my money we couldn’t pay the mortgage.’

To read the full feature, order the current issue of Eve magazine