Anne
I knew exactly what I wanted and needed- to be there for my kids, to find a job, to get settled in the new city. Not to have a third child.
It is mandatory in Germany to have a counseling before I could even go to a doctor. It was a very disturbing experience, the person trying to talk me into continuing the pregnancy. Then I struggled to find a doctor tp provide the abortion, run out of time to do it with pills. The doctors and nurses at the private (and expensive) clinic I finally found were treating me like shit, making me listen to the heartbeat against after I had asked them no to etc.
This made me realize what a long way we have to go. Experiencing the partriarchy on/at my own body was a surreal experience. Today I accompany friends and strangers in their abortions to make sure they are safe.
2018 Germany
the medical procedure is very easy and quick. the way how I was treated was the problem.
Did the illegality of your abortion affect your feelings?
well it is still illegal here but not persecuted if you do the mandatory counseling and have it before 12 weeks. I could do it in a clinic which is a major privilege but the way how I was treated and how difficult I found the access to be showed very clear that the public opinion and the very fact that it is officially still considered a crime does play a big role.
How did other people react to your abortion?
once I started to share and speak up about my experience, more and more people shared their stories as well. I ended up going on stage and talking about it in a play. reactions from friends and family were positive. my mum told me she had an abortion too when she was my age, had to travel to a different country in the 70s because it was not possible here then.