Abortion is a very controversial topic for many people. Numerous people stand by abortion and support women’s decisions and perspectives on abortion. However, there is also a significant amount of people who do not support abortion in any way or form and do not stand by it. Regardless of one’s perspective and stance on abortion, people have to understand that pregnancy for a woman is one of the most defining moments of a woman’s life. It affects many aspects of her life and even her family’s life as well.
Pregnancy Fears
Additionally, it is well known that many women around the world fear or at some point in their pregnancy panic. Not knowing what to do with their pregnancy. In fact, more than 1 in 10 women experience anxiety during their pregnancy.
Furthermore, many women can also become ashamed and embarrassed about their pregnancy for numerous personal reasons that pushed them in that direction. For example, this reason can be the age at which the woman became pregnant. Also, being talked about behind their backs or feeling judged.
UK Woman’s Abortion Story
This is what happened to a woman in the U.K. who was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she decided to get an abortion. However, when she called the British Pregnancy Adviser Service, an abortion care facility, she lied to the nurse, saying she was only seven weeks pregnant.
For this reason, after the woman indulge the drugs send to her five days later, she called the emergency services saying she was in labor. The child of the woman was born during this call. Regardless of all the resuscitation attempts on the child, the baby sadly passed away.
The woman is now serving 14 months in custody and the remainder on license after her release. She was initially charged with child destruction but pleaded not guilty. Her reason for lying to the nurse and not knowing how far along she was pregnant was that she was “embarrassed.” She had not visited a doctor about her pregnancy for this reason.
It is well-known how strict and incredibly demanding some abortion laws can be putting pressure on the woman and scaring her away from even visiting a doctor. In many states, abortion is even strictly prohibited. Forcing the women to rely on other alternatives to obtain the abortion wanted.
In the U.K., abortion laws state that a woman is able to have a medical abortion at home if they are less than 10 weeks pregnant.
Abortion Laws
As a woman, when making the decision of aborting a child, they have to take many factors into consideration with that decision. The abortion process is an extremely strict procedure that requires women to meet certain standers in their pregnancy. If anyone does not meet any of these standers or some of them and still decided to continue with the abortion process. People have to be aware that they are breaking the law and that it is a crime. Some standers for a woman to meet are:
- 32 states required an abortion to be performed by a licensed physician.
- 43 states prohibit abortion after a specific point in pregnancy (for some states, this limit is 10 weeks, and in others 21 weeks). Although, in special circumstances, when the child is endangering, the mother’s abortion is allowed after this limitation.
- 21 states have laws that prohibit “partial-birth.”
- 12 states restrict coverage of abortion in private insurance plans.
Although in many cases it is not right to kill a child. Sometimes many laws in different states where women leave pushed them to make rational decisions without thinking of the consequences. Because their abortion laws are extremely strict with their timing and requirements, they are not as flexible as other states. Pushing them towards other alternatives can also severely damage their life.
Physical Risk Of Abortion
When getting an abortion, women have to also consider the different risk factors of this procedure. One of these risk factors is physical risk. Some of these risks are:
- Heavy bleeding.
- Damage to the uterus.
- Damage to the cervix.
- Sepsis.
- Infection.
- Death.
Emotional Risk Of Abortion
Furthermore, when having an abortion although physical damage is the most visible type of damage to the woman’s body. Having an abortion also leaves emotional damage to a woman. For example, some emotional risks include:
- Regret.
- Guilt.
- Anger.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
Final Thoughts On Abortion
On the other hand, similar to how there is risk factors when going through the process of abortion. There are also risk factors when being denied an abortion or not getting the abortion wanted on time. There is the same exact emotional risk as mentioned above. Although, this risk goes towards the fact that the woman was denied an abortion or regrets not getting an abortion.
Also, some of the physical risks are financial problems, lack of affection towards the child, and more. Abortion laws should not be enforced to cause fear among women. They should be prioritized towards helping the women, motivating them to seek professional help. Therefore, causes like the story mentioned above do not keep repeating themselves again in other women.
By: Nohemi Sanchez
Sources:
CNN: Women Who took abortion pill after UK term limit sentenced to 28 months
Life Choices Medical Clinic: Abortion Rights
GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE: An Overview of Abortion Laws
Featured Image Courtesy of Russell Mondy Flickr Page — Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Focal Foto Flickr Page — Creative Commons License
