When pregnancy is a crisis...

London - More than one in 10 expectant mothers attending GPs describe their pregnancy as a "crisis", according to a nationwide study of women's health services.

But the number of pregnant women who perceive their condition as "a problem" is likely to be significantly higher as many will not admit their true feelings to their GP, and those considering abortion are less likely to attend their local doctor, according to a study by the Irish College of General Practitioners.

The majority of GPs surveyed say women tend to attend clinics rather than general practices for crisis pregnancy advice and services, and there are a number of reasons, including desire for anonymity, for this.

The Women's Health Services in General Practice report pointed out that: "Those who were considering abortion were more likely to attend a family planning clinic, while those who were going to continue with the pregnancy were more likely to attend their GP.

"Though it is legal to openly discuss all options now, concerns were expressed that Irish GPs do not have enough information on the UK-based clinics to make a qualified judgment on referral."

The substantive report, published last week, is the first of its kind since 1998. Although it shows significant increases in the number of GPs providing contraceptive services, there remains a small minority who do not provide a full contraceptive and crisis pregnancy service.

The vast majority said this was due to "lack of demand" or "lack of skills", with just 0,5 percent listing "moral reasons" for their failure to provide a contraception service.

Just seven percent of GPs do not provide crisis pregnancy counselling, but remarkably, three quarters of these are willing to provide post-abortion care.

The study states: "This was felt to be because more women actually presented to their GPs for medical care after abortion than attended before making their decision about the crisis pregnancy in the first place."

An increased number of female GPs has had a positive effect on women's health services, and three-quarters of practices now have at least one woman doctor working there compared to just 64 percent eight years ago.

Hormonal contraception such as the pill is now offered by an overwhelming 99,5 per cent of GPs, but three percent still do not offer emergency contraception. - Sunday Independent