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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Women 'using web for abortions' | Women 'using web for abortions' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Some women in countries where abortion is restricted are using the internet to buy medication enabling them to abort a pregnancy at home, the BBC has learned. | Some women in countries where abortion is restricted are using the internet to buy medication enabling them to abort a pregnancy at home, the BBC has learned. |
| Women in Northern Ireland and over 70 countries with restrictions have used one of the main websites, Women on Web. | Women in Northern Ireland and over 70 countries with restrictions have used one of the main websites, Women on Web. |
| A British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology review of 400 customers found nearly 11% had needed a surgical procedure after taking the medication. | A British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology review of 400 customers found nearly 11% had needed a surgical procedure after taking the medication. |
| The website says it can help reduce the problems linked with unsafe abortions. | The website says it can help reduce the problems linked with unsafe abortions. |
| 'Stressful experience' | 'Stressful experience' |
| But anti-abortion campaigners called the development of such sites "very worrying indeed". | But anti-abortion campaigners called the development of such sites "very worrying indeed". |
| The research into those who had used Women on Web found that about 8% did not end up using the medication they had ordered. | The research into those who had used Women on Web found that about 8% did not end up using the medication they had ordered. |
| Almost 11% went on to need a surgical procedure - either because the drugs had not completed the abortion or because of excessive bleeding. I think it's very important women have this resource to turn to in that situation Women on Web customer | Almost 11% went on to need a surgical procedure - either because the drugs had not completed the abortion or because of excessive bleeding. I think it's very important women have this resource to turn to in that situation Women on Web customer |
| Almost 200 women answered questions about their experiences - 58% said they were just grateful to have been able to have had an abortion in this way, while 31% had felt stressed but found the experience acceptable. | Almost 200 women answered questions about their experiences - 58% said they were just grateful to have been able to have had an abortion in this way, while 31% had felt stressed but found the experience acceptable. |
| Women on Web posts the drugs only to countries where abortion is heavily restricted, and to women who declare they are less than nine weeks' pregnant. | Women on Web posts the drugs only to countries where abortion is heavily restricted, and to women who declare they are less than nine weeks' pregnant. |
| A US woman, who has a rare medical complication meaning pregnancy is life-threatening to her, described her experience when she used the website while in Thailand. | A US woman, who has a rare medical complication meaning pregnancy is life-threatening to her, described her experience when she used the website while in Thailand. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| "Women on Web kept in contact with me via e-mail. The medication arrived through Customs, properly blister-packed, with complete paperwork and a doctor's signature. | "Women on Web kept in contact with me via e-mail. The medication arrived through Customs, properly blister-packed, with complete paperwork and a doctor's signature. |
| "Medication from other websites came in unmarked bottles with no instructions or paperwork - it was quite frightening. | "Medication from other websites came in unmarked bottles with no instructions or paperwork - it was quite frightening. |
| "I was not very far along - only three or four weeks. It went smoothly for me. | "I was not very far along - only three or four weeks. It went smoothly for me. |
| "I think it's very important women have this resource to turn to in that situation - and they can need it for a number of reasons." | "I think it's very important women have this resource to turn to in that situation - and they can need it for a number of reasons." |
| 'Reputable site' | 'Reputable site' |
| The Family Planning Association in Northern Ireland has had several calls from women considering buying abortion pills online. | The Family Planning Association in Northern Ireland has had several calls from women considering buying abortion pills online. |
| The FPA said that on two occasions, women bought drugs without appropriate medical information. They experienced complications and needed aftercare. | The FPA said that on two occasions, women bought drugs without appropriate medical information. They experienced complications and needed aftercare. |
| Northern Ireland FPA director Audrey Simpson said: "The Women On Web site is very helpful and reputable. | Northern Ireland FPA director Audrey Simpson said: "The Women On Web site is very helpful and reputable. |
| "But for Northern Ireland women, it is encouraging them to break the law - and as an organisation, we have to work within the law. | "But for Northern Ireland women, it is encouraging them to break the law - and as an organisation, we have to work within the law. |
| "We're really concerned about women accessing the rogue sites - we're hearing about it and we know it's happening. | "We're really concerned about women accessing the rogue sites - we're hearing about it and we know it's happening. |
| "There are potentially serious medical complications for women from sites which aren't well managed and this could be the new era of backstreet abortions." | "There are potentially serious medical complications for women from sites which aren't well managed and this could be the new era of backstreet abortions." |
| Anti-abortion campaigners said they were appalled by such websites. | Anti-abortion campaigners said they were appalled by such websites. |
| Josephine Quintavalle, from the group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: "This is very worrying indeed. It represents further trivialisation of the value of the unborn child. | Josephine Quintavalle, from the group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: "This is very worrying indeed. It represents further trivialisation of the value of the unborn child. |
| "It's like taking abortion into the shadows. These drugs have side-effects and tragedies will increase." | "It's like taking abortion into the shadows. These drugs have side-effects and tragedies will increase." |