Dr. Caitriona Henchion:

That is 100% right. In the case of somebody who is continuing with a pregnancy, there are several months in which to make the decision. In the circumstances we are discussing, the decision would be made very quickly rather than thinking about it only after the baby is born.

With an abortion, there is a very tight framework. Fertility returns within seven or eight days. Therefore, there is a need to use visits to start something and have a plan in order that, after two to three weeks and when in a position to confirm everything is complete, one is ready to go straight ahead. Unfortunately, it is sometimes purely down to money. I am not saying money is everything but it can definitely be a factor. It can be related to simple factors such as having to buy a lot of schoolbooks in September. It is not necessarily a question of poverty or poor families. The families could be doing fine generally. The cost might not be huge but it might not be possible to meet it at that exact moment because of conflicting costs.