In February 2018, months after the only public abortion clinic in Tasmania shut down, I found myself pregnant (age 20).
Continuing the pregnancy was never an option. I was in my graduating year of uni & in no mental or financial state to continue a pregnancy, but most importantly- I just didn’t want a baby!!
So after a lot of messy (very unorganised system) back & forth with family planning, gynaecologists & receptionists, I decided to get a non-surgical abortion (medication).
Anyway, picture this: vomit, blood, diarrhoea, passing out from the analgesics (found out that codeine really fucks me up). It wasn’t great, but it got the job done.
Due to various reasons, I believe about 10% of medical abortions are unsuccessful, resulting in a continued pregnancy or in my case, retained products of conception. Retained products of conception is tissue that remains in the uterus after a pregnancy loss (miscarriage, termination, delivery, etc).
Due to the RPC I was finally able to see a gynaecologist at the local public hospital – BECAUSE the procedure actually can be performed in any hospital but ONLY under emergency cases, I call bs. So thus, I had a d&c. But finally it was over. I literally went back to uni the day after the surgery. Talk about women being badass?!!
Trying to receive the procedure was a difficult & expensive process. Do I regret it? Hell no! Would I get another abortion? Hell yes!
There is nothing wrong, shameful or embarrassing about abortions and it shouldn’t be difficult for us to access them!
I was very lucky I had my mother to financially & physically support me (she really was amazing), but my heart aches for the women younger or more vulnerable than I going through the same situation.
I LOVE (seriously… so glad) that I got an abortion because I wouldn’t be the strong woman I am today without it.
Let’s end this stupid stigma once & for all.
