Gemma
The best decision for me.
2015 Verenigd Koninkrijk
I am thankful to live in a country where I can exercise rights & choice over my body. I was in a position where I could not only decide to have an abortion, but it was actually accessible to me too.
Horrendous - my partner and I have been together since June 2014. I had been using The Copper IUD initially, however, it caused me numerous problems so I removed it. I decided to start using Natural Family Planning, for two reasons: to prevent pregnancy (we were both STI tested) and; to track my cycle (I was being investigated for Endometriosis). However, over a year in, I miss calculated and I ended up getting pregnant. My partner commented on my period being late, so a couple of days later I tested. It was positive. I was pregnant. I went to work. Overwhelmed. Not believing it. I took another test at lunch time. Still positive. Still pregnant. I went to the doctor, I tested again. Still positive. Still pregnant. I booked a termination there and then. I went home and told my partner. "I'm pregnant. I've booked an appointment at the clinic". The scan confirmed I was 4 weeks pregnant. I booked a medical for a week later. I went in for the first tablet and two days later for the second set. "It'll be like a heavy period" they said, "go home and rest they said." I went home. I rested. 36 hours later I was fitting on the floor, diarrhea, vomitting, pain, bleeding. An ambulance was called and I was taken into accident and emergency. I was given gas & air, codeine, diclofenac, morphine and a paracetamol & fluid drip. I was screaming in pain. Left on a gynae ward with (visibly) pregnant women - who assumed I was having a miscarriage - I had to suffer in pain. Scared, lonely and like I was to blame. The termination hadn't worked, and I had to wait for 3 days nil by mouth waiting for a D&C. I was eventually taken into surgery and the nightmare was neasr to ending. I woke up from my surgery, feeling lighter. Both physically & emotionally. I was fucking elated. I wanted to go home that night, be away from the judgement I felt and be in my own bed. I do not regret my abortion. Having my abortion was the absolute best decision for me. My partner. And the foteus. There is no way we are in a position to continue a pregnancy. I in no way regret my abortion, I regret the unfortunate circumstances in which it happened though.
Hoe reageerden andere mensen op je abortus?
Supportive
Julieta Iovaldi Curutchet
Decidí desde el principio no compartir esa experiencia con la pareja de ese…