Anonymous asked: Any advice on someone who is about to go for an abortion? I used to think it was okay, but right now I feel more shitty than I ever have in my life
Abortion advice. You know, such a hard thing to give. All advice is hard to give to be honest but this one, just… something something. Ill talk about my own experiences a bit and hopefully you can draw something from that.
My first bit of advice is kinda clinical. If they give you antibiotics to take, take them. Follow all the advice and rules they offer you. Make sure you take a couple days off work/school to rest up if you feel you need it. If youre offered counselling, take it. Make sure someone supportive is around to help if you can.
It doesnt hurt, its not that scary on a physical level.
Ive had two terminations before, and to be honest the first time was “easier” than the second time.
A kid is a massive responsibility, and I guess my way of thinking is that when I finally had a kid, I wanted to be ready, I wanted to be excited and happy about it. I didnt want the dread and the panic that came with an unwanted pregnancy. I wanted to be able to provide that new person with everything in the world I possibly could. I wanted to be emotionally ready, even moreso than financially ready, and I wanted my partner to be ready too.
The first time I was just too young to have been the parent I want to be one day. I was 18. For me, that was too young. I just had too much I wanted and needed to do before I started breeding.
The second time I was older, and I could have probably supported a kid if I wanted to, but my partner at the time was really young, and I didnt really want to be the one to “ruin” his life you know? By “ruining” his life, I was also kinda “ruining” the potential life of the potential kid. But, because I was older I felt more of that “guilt”, as you call it “feeling shitty”, because I could have done it if I really tried.
I am now, a few years later, pregnant. To the guy that I was pregnant with last time. And we are pretty happy with the choice we have made, and overall, I am happy with the decisions I made in the past even though at the time it was fucking horrible.
It gets better. It gets easier. Talking to people about it is important. Talking to pals, a doctor, a therapist or counsellor if youre feeling especially mixed up about it - vital. I actually let the second time send me into a depressive spiral and in hindsight, I could have totally dealt with it better, I could have reached out more, had more support and it definitely would have been easier. if I were in the same predicament again, that is the only thing I would change. I would ask for more help and talk about it more.
Whilst it doesnt seem like it now, and you may hate me for this, you eventually get to the point where you might even be able to make jokes about it. When I found out I was pregnant this time around my excellent friend penny and I joked about “how many abortions were too many abortions” when I was deciding what to do. Ive come a long way. And you will too. Hang in there, send me a message if you need more chats or something.
lame as it sounds, im sending hearts.