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Ultrasound picture of baby. (PHOTO: istock via Times LIVE)
Originally published in Times LIVE
The African Christian Democratic Party is proposing a bill to amend the Termination of Pregnancy Act to ensure women receiving an abortion after 12 weeks must first receive an ultra-sound and counselling.
The ACDP’s Cheryllyn Dudley said a mandatory ultrasound would show the women visuals of their foetus to help ensure they know what they are doing.
“It is a huge decision and a decision about life and death. They need information.”
She also wants women considering abortion after 12 weeks to have counselling.
“We want to ensure that women who feel they don’t have any alternative can hear what options are available.
“The bill is to protect women at a very difficult time.
“We need to be society that provides a safety net to these women.”
She also said they needed to be told about adoption as an option.
“No child should ever ever be a child that deserves to die simply because its parents feel they can’t afford a child.”
The bill is open for public comment until August 11. It will then be presented to a parliamentary private bill committee and likely opened for public hearings.
Asked if the failing health system was able to offer every woman wanting to terminate pregnancy an ultrasound‚ Dudley said: “South Africa needs to get with 21st century. It is a simple technology.”
