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woman holding pregnancy test and text saying I'm not ashamed of my abortion

I’m Not Ashamed Of My Abortion

Health, Lifestyle

Today, I’m sharing why I’m not ashamed of my abortion. I’m 35 now, but when I was 18, I got pregnant. It wasn’t planned and the father didn’t want me to keep the baby. I was still living at home, still in education and definitely not emotionally, or financially ready to become a mum. After much thought and after speaking to a counsellor… I decided to go ahead with the termination when I was 8 weeks pregnant.

Why I’m Not Ashamed Of My Abortion

Until today, my abortion wasn’t something I discussed with many people. I could count on one hand the people who knew about it until 10am this morning. Everything happening in America right now (and Northern Ireland recently) has made me angry. Angry that so many women are being painted as selfish, and even murderers by some people. Yesterday, I saw Jameela Jamil’s tweets. They made me realise it was time to discuss my own experiences, and why I am pro choice. Before I do, please read this…

pro choice abortion poster

Why I Did It

I didn’t terminate my pregnancy because the timing was off, or because it was inconvenient… I made this decision because I knew I’d end up stuck in the cycle of relying on benefits to raise my child. A cycle I had grown up in. Where it was common to have no heating most of Winter. I had always been determined to work hard, get a decent job and break the benefits cycle. Essentially, I knew I wouldn’t cope alone with a baby – I was barely an adult myself.

Back then, I was studying and earning £80 a week and living with my parents. It wasn’t enough money to support me, never mind a baby too. Definitely not enough to raise a baby alone. So I made what was probably one of the hardest decisions in my life, and had an abortion.

While I don’t regret my choice, I do sometimes wonder where life would have taken us, had I made a different decision. Despite keeping it from my parents, and keeping it quiet until now, I’m not ashamed of my abortion. No doubt some of my friends and family members will see this and be shocked as they had no idea.

I am sure my parents would have supported me if I’d continued with the pregnancy. But I did what was right for me, not them.

My Body My Choice

I find it horrific that Governors in America are making this decision on behalf of all their citizens. Without even putting it to the public vote like they did in Northern Ireland earlier this year. It is still illegal to have an abortion in any part of Ireland. So many citizens head to England, Scotland or Wales to terminate their pregnancies.

Mind your own uterus slogan and a cartoon drawing of a uterus

Personally, I feel that it is utterly barbaric to force women to bring a baby into this world, which they can’t take care of. What happens if the mother has mental health issues? Or if she can’t afford to feed, clothe or support the child? The baby will end up, “in the system”. The same system, which is stretched to breaking point in both America AND the UK. Don’t even get me started on the women who are victims of rape, or who are in abusive relationships. America doesn’t seem to care what kind of situation children are born into – as long as they are born.

Surely it makes more sense for a woman to make the difficult choice to end her pregnancy than to force her to go through with it? What will the impact of that be on the woman’s mental health? Each woman should be able to decide what is right for her – and make the call without fear of prosecution or judgement.

Your Thoughts

If you’re reading this and planning on leaving a comment calling me a murderer, or bring God into the conversation… Let me stop you there. Comments are moderated, and yours won’t be published. However, if you want to bring a balanced counter view to this discussion, feel free comment below.

Finally, if you are pregnant and weighing up your options, rest assured that although it was a tough decision to make… I’m not ashamed of my abortion and I don’t regret my choice.

One last thing: Check out more of my lifestyle content here.

“Reflections

 

 

Comments (3):

  1. Yvonne Chase

    21/06/2019 at 1:22 pm

    I love people who have the courage to share unpopular thoughts and personal stories. What’s done is done and can’t be undone. We all have to live with the choices we make. I’ve been thinking about writing a post about abortion ever since it’s become a hot topic and ever since a friend at the gym and I discussed it at length. By the end of that conversation, I learned she had an abortion. I often wonder where life would have taken my friend had she made a different decision. She wonders too. That’s the tragedy of abortion. It destroys all possibilities. God bless you and thanks for sharing something so deeply personal.

    Reply
  2. Sam

    21/06/2019 at 2:39 pm

    And so you should, your body, your decisions no one else’s business X #ablogginggoodtime

    Reply
  3. Mackenzie Glanville

    27/06/2019 at 9:04 am

    I am fortunate to have never had to be placed in the situation you were placed in, I imagine it was so hard for you to make such a grown up decision at just eighteen. It is absolutely a choice you and all women have the right to make and you should never be made to feel guilty, nor should you even have to explain it. Your body, your choice! I am so proud of you for sharing your story. Thank you for joining us at #ABloggingGoodTime

    Reply

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