Disclaimer
The diary that follows is an account of my own experience of abortion. Every abortion is unique and deeply personal; mine proved to be a difficult time in my life. Every step of the way I have felt grateful to live in a country and at a time where women have the choice to terminate a pregnancy in respect and dignity*.
This diary does not in any way intend to replace medical advice or emotional support.
I have decided to share my story because I believe that there is still a long way to go to tackle stigma and taboo around abortion. A long way to go to lift the veil of silence around women’s experiences. I believe that it is vital to break the taboo of the “thing that you shouldn’t talk about in public”, “the thing that you should keep to yourself”, and encourage women to free their voice from shame and guilt.
I am deeply grateful for the support I have received throughout the process from the NHS medical staff and I can only hope that any woman going through an unplanned pregnancy receives the care she deserves.
Your life, your body, your choice.
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (UK): 03457 30 40 30
*There were 197,533 abortions notified as taking place in England and Wales in 2017. This represents an abortion rate of 16.7 per 1,000 resident women aged 15-44. (Department of Health and Social Care; Abortion Statistics, England and Wales, 2017).
