I am now 66 years old. I had an abortion because contraception failed when I was 26. Later on I had 3 children by choice. They are now grown up and all of them have become wonderful persons. After my abortion I had no complications at all and I never had any regret. On the contrary I was--and still am--very happy and grateful that I was able to get an abortion done correctly by a doctor (though it was illegal at that time).
This first pregnancy was absolutely unwanted as soon as I suspected it. I had married the man I loved two years before. (No the abortion did not destroy our partnership--we are still married and in love!) After my marriage I had been able to realize the dream of my life: to train to become a dancer. I was preparing for my final exams--and there I was, pregnant, because the cap failed. I felt like this pregnancy was taking possession of me, I felt suffocated, I could not breathe anymore. Every fibre of my body and soul revolted against this pregnancy. I did not hesitate a moment to try to get an abortion. The pregnancy would have ruined my dream, my LIFE! Yes, dance meant life for me at this period of my career. Egoism? Call it what you like, but I think women have a right to live their lives, they have the right to choose. They need not sacrifice themselves because of a failed contraception. They are not sacrificial lambs...
This experience spurred my energy for 30 years to fight for the legalization of abortion in my country--which we at last achieved last year by a 72 percent favourable referendum!
I personally know more than 50 women who have had abortions and who have no regrets. And I think every woman in the world should have the right to decide freely if and when to have a child. This right must include abortion as a backup measure when (for whatever reason) contraception fails. Motherhood is a great experience--forced motherhood is a form of slavery.
  |