Trending 10th November 2016 by Paula Lyne

An Irish Couple Are Bravely Live-Tweeting Their Trip To England For An Abortion Today

'It's hard for us, but imagine making this journey on your own like the thousands of women that made it before us.'

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One Irish couple have made the brave move to publicly share their abortion story today, by live-tweeting their experience travelling from Ireland to an abortion clinic in Liverpool on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

The couple, who are posting their story using the hashtag #itstimetorepeal, elected to have an abortion after doctors discovered their unborn baby had a fatal foetal abnormality.

“This is not by choice. Three months ago after many attempts [at conceiving] we were overjoyed at the discovery we were successful,” the couple explained in a post on Twitter last night.

“Our first child was born with a genetic condition that meant we spent many months in hospital and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Although there is a risk any future children may carry the same condition we decided it was a risk worth taking.

“At our first pre-natal appointment we were offered a genetic screening test. Although it does not screen for the condition that affects our first child, it will for others that may inhibit the baby’s chance of survival. Of course we agreed to a simple blood test, after all the heartbeat now visible was strong and all markers pointed to a healthy pregnancy. Then we got the call that nothing can prepare you for.

“A fatal foetal abnormality was discovered. We had never heard of Edwards Syndrome before but we were told that even if carried to full term the period of life would be counted in the minutes and hours after birth. It is a crushing sentence for any person to hear let alone for my wife who has had to give up her career to become a full time carer for our little boy.”

Since leaving their home around 5am today, November 10th, the couple have been posting regular updates of their journey to the airport and onward to the clinic.

“We are being forced to travel to the UK, leaving our child behind and the risks that involves to do the most humane thing possible to a baby that will never survive,” the post continues.

Back in August, the hashtag #twowomentravel made headlines internationally, as two Irish women live-tweeted their own trip to the UK so that one of them could have an elective abortion. James Corden, Jim Sheridan and Lisa Hannigan were among those who tweeted their support for the “powerful and brave” move.

You can follow the couple’s journey on Twitter here, Instagram here and Snapchat here.

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