[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by arista

Surgical treatments:

* From five to 15 weeks - the pregnancy can be removed by placing a tube through the vagina and into the cervix. This is known as suction termination. It's often carried out under local anaesthetic, but you may be offered sedation or a general anaesthetic. It can also be done as a day case, avoiding a hospital stay.
* From 15 to 19 weeks - a surgical dilatation and evacuation (known as D&E) may be necessary to empty the womb. This is usually done under a light general anaesthetic.
* Up to 24 weeks- more advanced pregnancies are rarely terminated but when they are, more complicated surgery is required.

Hmm. When I was 15, I was on holiday and was spiked. I ended up having unprotected sex. And, just my luck, I got pregnant. I thought I couldnt cope with a baby at that age, so i went to my doctor who arranged for me to have an abortion. I didnt even have to tell my parents, but I did, as we are very close and can talk about almost anything. I took my friend with me to the clinic as my dad was quite upset at the idea of the whole thing happening, as initially he was over the moon at the prospect of being a grandad, though he was supportive, I know he didnt me to do what I did.

I had to go there the day beforehand, to take a tablet. To this day im not 100% sure what that tablet was for. But I had been told beforehand, by my doctor that I would see a psyciatrist first to be sure this was what I really wanted, and to explain exactly what would happen etc. From the little bit of information I was given I think I remember being told the tablet cut off the foetus' bloody supply or something, virtually killing it. The day i went, for whatever reason I did not have the option to see a psyciatrist. They did a scan on me, which I refused to look at, given what I was planning on doing. They gave me a little tablet, told me to take it and come back either the next day or a few days later (my memory is quite hazy...I think to be honest I have blocked it out)

When I went back, they gave me another tablet, which (again) I think was to start off labour (or as it would be, a miscarriage). Im sorry, I dont remember all the details. All I remember is the next few hours were so painful. I was at the loo every few minutes, every time I went I had to do it in one of those little cardboard things they give you in the hospital if your going to throw up. Eventually, blood clots and jelly like stuff was coming out everytime I went. Apparently the reason you have to do this is so that the nurses can check when the foetus is totally gone or something. About an hour later, I went to the loo again, and loads of the horrible stuff came away. The nurses checked it, gave me a blood test and that and sent me home. So I assume, that the jelly/blood, was my 'baby'.

So there are other methods aswell as the ones you listed.

To this day I still have nightmares about it, and wish that there HAD been some form of psychiatrist available that day. As I think I may have changed my mind, given the correct help. I was young and stubborn, and thinking about having fun, above all else. Very selfish decision on my part, Il admit. Although, if I had gone ahead with the pregnancy, I may well have wrecked my life...maybe not, who knows. I just think, looking back, that my reasons for doing it were totally superficial, and wish someone had tried to talk me out of it.

Its not something to be taken lightly at all. Its always there, in the back of your mind, moreso with me as my partner has 3 young kids, and my child would have been a year older than his oldest...



Anyway, Im rambling here now. But as for the orginal question, pro-choice. As long as the correct help is available.

[Prole]

The only person who can say whether abortion is right or wrong is the woman who has to make the choice. Deciding whether or not to abort a child has to be one of the hardest choices a woman will ever have to make and I'm sure it's not a decision that most women would take lightly. Someone who's seen a bit of Catholic-style propaganda at school and who has been totally sucked in by the shock tactics used does not have the right to decide on such a MASSIVE issue on behalf of a woman who is in the unenviable position of having to make that choice.

If you want to get all upset about the plight of children, maybe think about some of the kids in the world who are born and not wanted, abused, uneducated, who work 16 hours a day, who are put into care, sold into slavery, murdered... If you want to stand up for a cause, stand up for them, instead of for something where the choice is solely that of another.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Prole

The only person who can say whether abortion is right or wrong is the woman who has to make the choice. Deciding whether or not to abort a child has to be one of the hardest choices a woman will ever have to make and I'm sure it's not a decision that most women would take lightly. Someone who's seen a bit of Catholic-style propaganda at school and who has been totally sucked in by the shock tactics used does not have the right to decide on such a MASSIVE issue on behalf of a woman who is in the unenviable position of having to make that choice.

If you want to get all upset about the plight of children, maybe think about some of the kids in the world who are born and not wanted, abused, uneducated, who work 16 hours a day, who are put into care, sold into slavery, murdered... If you want to stand up for a cause, stand up for them, instead of for something where the choice is solely that of another.

Well said!

[Crimson Dynamo]

"the only person who can say whether abortion is right or wrong is the woman who has to make the choice. Deciding whether or not to abort a child has to be one of the hardest choices a woman will ever have to make and I'm sure it's not a decision that most women would take lightly."

This may be fine for a clear thinking woman say aged 28 who is well educated but what about the many thousands of young teenage girls in this situation from uneducated backgrounds - how do they decide and is their decision based on all the facts available?

[Prole]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

"the only person who can say whether abortion is right or wrong is the woman who has to make the choice. Deciding whether or not to abort a child has to be one of the hardest choices a woman will ever have to make and I'm sure it's not a decision that most women would take lightly."

This may be fine for a clear thinking woman say aged 28 who is well educated but what about the many thousands of young teenage girls in this situation from uneducated backgrounds - how do they decide and is their decision based on all the facts available?

There is no excuse in this day and age for anyone to get pregnant, uneducated or not. Everyone knows how it happens and what causes it. We're something like the eighth richest country in the world, we should be educating our young people and I know in a lot of schools this is taken seriously. Parents should be made to take some responsibility for their children too. It is not society's fault if your child is not educated about STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Importantly, other organisations are widely available to give good, well-balanced advice. They don't shove girls into backstreet abortion clinics anymore; organisations like the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Marie Stopes have a long history in helping women in this situation, whatever their age, in helping them make the right decision and in dealing with the psychological issues that may arise after the event.

[Lauren]

Originally Posted by Prole

There is no excuse in this day and age for anyone to get pregnant, uneducated or not. Everyone knows how it happens and what causes it. We're something like the eighth richest country in the world, we should be educating our young people and I know in a lot of schools this is taken seriously. Parents should be made to take some responsibility for their children too. It is not society's fault if your child is not educated about STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Importantly, other organisations are widely available to give good, well-balanced advice. They don't shove girls into backstreet abortion clinics anymore; organisations like the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Marie Stopes have a long history in helping women in this situation, whatever their age, in helping them make the right decision and in dealing with the psychological issues that may arise after the event.

So people shouldn't have sex unless they want children? Because even modern day protection doesn't protect 100%, even when used correctly.

[Prole]

Originally Posted by Lauren

So people shouldn't have sex unless they want children? Because even modern day protection doesn't protect 100%, even when used correctly.

No, mistakes are made, nothing is infallible. But come on, we all watch the chavs on Jeremy Kyle, don't we?

"Did you use protection?"
"Nahhh"
"Why not?"
"I dunno......"

Originally Posted by VickyJ

Hmm. When I was 15, I was on holiday and was spiked. I ended up having unprotected sex. And, just my luck, I got pregnant. I thought I couldnt cope with a baby at that age, so i went to my doctor who arranged for me to have an abortion. I didnt even have to tell my parents, but I did, as we are very close and can talk about almost anything. I took my friend with me to the clinic as my dad was quite upset at the idea of the whole thing happening, as initially he was over the moon at the prospect of being a grandad, though he was supportive, I know he didnt me to do what I did.

I had to go there the day beforehand, to take a tablet. To this day im not 100% sure what that tablet was for. But I had been told beforehand, by my doctor that I would see a psyciatrist first to be sure this was what I really wanted, and to explain exactly what would happen etc. From the little bit of information I was given I think I remember being told the tablet cut off the foetus' bloody supply or something, virtually killing it. The day i went, for whatever reason I did not have the option to see a psyciatrist. They did a scan on me, which I refused to look at, given what I was planning on doing. They gave me a little tablet, told me to take it and come back either the next day or a few days later (my memory is quite hazy...I think to be honest I have blocked it out)

When I went back, they gave me another tablet, which (again) I think was to start off labour (or as it would be, a miscarriage). Im sorry, I dont remember all the details. All I remember is the next few hours were so painful. I was at the loo every few minutes, every time I went I had to do it in one of those little cardboard things they give you in the hospital if your going to throw up. Eventually, blood clots and jelly like stuff was coming out everytime I went. Apparently the reason you have to do this is so that the nurses can check when the foetus is totally gone or something. About an hour later, I went to the loo again, and loads of the horrible stuff came away. The nurses checked it, gave me a blood test and that and sent me home. So I assume, that the jelly/blood, was my 'baby'.

So there are other methods aswell as the ones you listed.

To this day I still have nightmares about it, and wish that there HAD been some form of psychiatrist available that day. As I think I may have changed my mind, given the correct help. I was young and stubborn, and thinking about having fun, above all else. Very selfish decision on my part, Il admit. Although, if I had gone ahead with the pregnancy, I may well have wrecked my life...maybe not, who knows. I just think, looking back, that my reasons for doing it were totally superficial, and wish someone had tried to talk me out of it.

Its not something to be taken lightly at all. Its always there, in the back of your mind, moreso with me as my partner has 3 young kids, and my child would have been a year older than his oldest...



Anyway, Im rambling here now. But as for the orginal question, pro-choice. As long as the correct help is available.

That's a sad story, i rate you for having the courage to say it! bravo on you and you are a brave woman.