‘Times can be tough, but all problems have an answer’

Suri’s money worries began when she unexpectedly fell pregnant. An international student studying in the UK, she was terrified about breaking the news to her family back home. And it turned out, she was right to be. Her family were distraught, and the money they’d been sending to cover her living expenses immediately dried up.

Alone, frightened and broke, Suri didn’t know where to turn. Everyone around her told her the same thing - her only option was to end the pregnancy.

This was the last thing she wanted, but she was beginning to feel she had no other choice. Luckily, that’s when she stumbled across the details for the pregnancy support charity Life.

Having someone to listen and offer practical support and advice made all the difference. First, they tackled the immediate issue of her money worries, pointing her in the direction of financial support she could apply for. Then, they started talking through her pregnancy options.

With her finances back on track and a clearer picture of what her future might look like as a mum, she was able to make some serious decisions. She continued her pregnancy, completed her PhD and is now working while raising her daughter.

Suri’s story is far from unique.

Government figures show that abortions in England and Wales rose by 11% in 2023 compared with the year before. More than half of women who had a termination (54%) were already mums. Many said they couldn’t afford another child because of the rising cost of living and childcare.

Charities and healthcare leaders agree that this increase is linked, in part, to high housing costs, expensive childcare and fewer local support services.

In an interview with Money Wellness, Emily Traynor from Life Charity said money and the cost-of-living crisis is “brought up in most conversations”.

When people don’t know what they’re entitled to, or where to turn, problems can spiral quickly. Rent arrears can grow, debts build and stress increases.

At that point, decisions are often made in panic, not because someone wants to choose them, but because they can’t see another way.

Why money advice matters

This is where the right money advice can make a real difference.

Help with budgeting, benefit checks, debt breathing space, rent arrears or referrals to charities and local services can ease pressure quickly. Just as importantly, it helps people realise they have more options than they thought.

“We support women facing financial challenges by advocating for them, assisting with finding the financial support they are entitled to and providing practical items (new and used) donated by our supporters to ease the financial burden,” says Traynor. “We also offer our clients financial skills sessions and support them as they navigate their benefit entitlements and housing.”

“Our latest statistics, from insights given by our clients, is that as many as 54% of the women who get in contact with us considering abortion see caring well for their existing children being the main barrier to their pregnancy,” she adds. “Part of the ‘existing children barrier’ is the strain of finances and the practicalities of raising another young child without the necessary support.”

The power of practical support

When Donna found out she was pregnant again, like with Suri, things quickly fell apart.

Already caring for two young children, she developed severe pregnancy sickness that left her unable to work. Her income stopped, rent arrears built up, and she began skipping meals so her children could eat. When her partner left her after she refused to consider an abortion, the pressure intensified.

Like Suri’s, Donna’s story shows the impact of the right support at the right time. Her situation only began to improve after she was referred to Life Charity.

Alongside emotional support, she received help with housing, understanding her benefit entitlements and stabilising her finances. With time and practical help, her circumstances began to change.

“If I hadn’t found [Life], I dread to think what would have happened to me and my kids,” she says.

Help is out there

Support with things like:

• understanding income and benefits
• creating a realistic budget
• managing or pausing unmanageable debt
• getting help with housing and bills
• and feeling listened to, not judged

can make people feel much less trapped by money worries alone.

No one should feel forced into a life-changing decision just because they didn’t know help existed.

If you’re struggling with money, whether that’s debt, housing worries, mental health or coping with a major life change, support is available.

Life Charity offers free, confidential emotional and practical support to anyone facing pregnancy or pregnancy loss, including help with housing, finances and navigating difficult systems.

As Emily Traynor puts it:

“Nurturing our nation’s children isn’t a financial issue. It’s a human one.”

And often, the most important step isn’t finding more money, it’s finding the right support, at the right time.

Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.