News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Royal-Courts-of-Justice-main_article_image.jpg
REX
UK News

Pregnant mentally-ill woman should be allowed to have baby, says social worker

by Press Association

The woman's mother has revealed that she did not want doctors to be allowed to abort her daughter's child because of her religious beliefs

The social worker who has been involved with the woman, who is 22 weeks pregnant, for about two years has also said she should be allowed to have the baby.

Mrs Justice Lieven is analysing the case at a hearing in the Court of Protection, where issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions are considered, at the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London.

Doctors say a termination is the best option.

Specialists say the woman would find labour very difficult to tolerate and recovery from a Caesarean section very challenging and that her mental health could worsen if the pregnancy continues.

They say the baby might be taken into council care and its mother would find the loss of pregnancy easier to recover from than separation from her child.

But the social worker said both outcomes would be equally distressing for the woman.

"(She) knows she is pregnant," said the social worker.

"I believe the best interests for (her) are to have her baby."

The woman's mother is also pro-life. 

She says she could care for the baby and her daughter could help.

Mrs Justice Lieven is considering the case at a public hearing but has ruled that the woman, who lives in the London area, cannot be identified in reports of the case.

She also says the NHS trust which has begun litigation, and the council which employs the social worker, cannot be named because publication of their names might create an information jigsaw which could lead to the woman's identity being revealed.

The woman is in her 20s and has been diagnosed with a "moderately severe" learning disorder and a mood disorder.

Mrs Justice Lieven has been told that the "circumstances of the conception" are "unclear" and a police investigation is ongoing.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate