La Ranita

Why would I be trusted to carry a foetus for up to 40 weeks, give birth, then raise a child and provide for that child’s needs until he or she reaches adulthood (or longer), but I am not trusted to decide that, for whatever reason, I do not want to do any of that?

If I become pregnant and do not want to continue the pregnancy, why must I pretend that my mental health will be at serious risk in order to be allowed to have an abortion? Why can’t I just tell my doctor that I want an abortion? Why do I need to go through at least two doctors and keep up a charade of being at serious risk of psychological harm? If I have any doubts about it, let me talk to counsellor by all means but don’t force me through the time- and money-wasting charade that is the two-certifying-consultants rigmarole.

In an ideal world, if I were to find out today that I am pregnant, I would want to talk to my husband then go to my doctor who would give me two little pills and send me home to take them (imagine that, trusted to take medicine on my own). I wouldn’t even mind if my doctor told me I had to take a week to think about it before she could prescribe me those magic pills (but, really, I doubt many women turn up to their doctor to ask for an abortion without having already put a lot of thought into it). But that isn’t what happens. It should be, but it isn’t.

Abortion should not be a crime in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2011. I shouldn’t have to pretend I’m on the verge of emotional collapse just to prevent a life time of unwanted parenthood. I am a grown-ass woman who can make up my own mind what I want to do.

Abortion is a health issue not a crime, and we need to get it out of the Crimes Act now!