I am 24 years old and yesterday I had an abortion. I live with my boyfriend and we found out that I was pregnant about a month ago. I wasn’t allowed to have the medical abortion due to health issues, so I had to wait until I was 8 weeks pregnant so that I could have a surgical abortion. Luckily, I live in England where abortion is safe, free and legal. However, the fact that I was made to wait made me consider all of the people in America who would be affected by the “heartbeat bills” that claim abortion should be outlawed after 6 weeks. What would I have done if I lived somewhere with a law like that?! I found out I was pregnant a day after my period was due but I would still be denied an abortion if a law like that was passed in my country.
Anyway, I realise that some people struggle with deciding to abort. However, for me it was an easy decision. I hate the idea that abortion is something you should torture yourself over and if you’re not mentally destroyed by the end of it then you’re a monster. I cannot have a child yet. I’m not equipped. Bringing an unwanted child into the world would be far worse for everyone involved than a quick medical procedure. And that’s exactly what it was. I arrived at the hospital at 7.30am and I had left by 1pm. If you are reading this and you’re waiting for an abortion, please do not be scared. I fell asleep and when I woke up I felt nothing but relief (and some cramping). All of the doctors and nurses were so supportive. The anaesthetist even rubbed my shoulders to calm me down when I was panicking.
Today, I woke up without crippling morning sickness or sore boobs. I felt like a child on Christmas morning because I finally had my body back. If a woman does not want to be pregnant, she does not have to be. Pregnancy is not a punishment for sex. Accidents happen, rape happens, incest happens. In all of these cases, a woman should be able to seek a safe and legal abortion if she so chooses. Forced birth advocates like to talk about how they are “pro-life” but what about my life?
Abortion is healthcare. I regret nothing.
