Burden of Truth: The weary load of forced Births

Death is not the only consequence of unsafe abortions that women and girls may face. For those who survive, they are susceptible to a myriad of health complications, from excessive bleeding, scar tissue build-up, and in some cases, infertility.

Take Sophie*, who lost her sister to an unsafe abortion after she bled to death in her home. Despite that, when she became pregnant at 16, she found herself pondering the same difficult decision as her sister.

“I was scared and I didn’t know what to do. I thought they would cut me and I would die. But I didn’t know who to talk to or where to go,” she said.

One victim who was raped found herself in this situation after seeking help from a quack doctor.

“I confided in a friend and we found someone who gave me three pills. Two I swallowed and one I inserted in my vagina,” she said.

“Unfortunately this did not work, so I went to another woman who inserted something inside me. I think it was a hanger. I remember the pain, I was bleeding so much, they had to take me to hospital.”

Luckily, she survived. However, due to the manner in which she was treated, she contracted an infection and had to have her entire uterus removed. Today, she is unable to have her own children.

The psychological effects of abortions are important to take into consideration. While the procedure is largely a physical one, the choice to have an abortion is a deeply personal and emotional one for many women and girls.

Depression, withdrawal from relationships, loss of self-esteem, as well as feelings of guilt and shame are often emotions that those who abort may experience.

The procedure is one that has the power to permanently affect the mental health of an individual. Through the proper and legal route, post-abortion care is always provided.

This does not only include the physical health of the woman but their emotional and psychological health, too.