‘Yes campaign using our stories to push for abortion on demand’

A MOTHER whose baby died nine days after birth has accused the Yes campaign of using the stories of families like hers to push forward a regime of “abortion on demand”.

Sandra Caulfield’s daughter Hope Rose was diagnosed during pregnancy with Edwards syndrome and was born on September 4, 2017. She died at home surrounded by her family.

“Hope Rose was where she needed to be, in her mommy’s arms, in her mommy and daddy’s room,” Ms Caulfield said.

The family received the devastating news that their daughter had the condition, also known as trisomy 18, at 14 weeks.

“It was the most heartbreaking day of our lives,” she said, speaking at an event organised by the Save the 8th campaign.

She said parents need to be given hope when faced with such devastating news and improvements in perinatal hospice care are needed.

“This is not a referendum about Hope Rose or any other child with a life-limiting condition, it is a referendum about abortion on demand,” she said.

Ms Caulfield said she was very grateful for the care both she and Hope Rose received in both Mayo University Hospital and in Holles Street. Abortion services are “not health care”, she said.

The young mother said that she had seen the heartbreak for other parents, who were faced with the prospect of a similar diagnosis and opted to travel to England to access a termination.

However, she said: “I think if you take away the travel aspect, you will still be left with the pain. That’s why I’m so vocal about this.”