Abortion

[honeyb16]

what happens if a girl of say the age 16 finds themselves pregnant, and no im not talking about me im just curious becuase it happens. does it cost alot of money, and what if the girl doesnt have the money? how much does it cost

[Brandye]

I am replying as a woman, first, and then a doctor to your two posts. Think long and hard about your sexual activity and what kind of protection you are using. Abortions are no fun for anyone. Unwanted children can mess up your life and the lives of the children you may have.

Abortion is more controlled by law than medicine. That is sad, but true. In the UK, any woman sixteen and over has access to confidential abortion under the NHS. Each country and, I understand, state or province in N. America has its own laws. Most major cities have female health clinics where you can get information, perhaps referral. The age is different and abortion is not widely available in some countries where it is legal.

Medically, the sooner the better. You suggest the first trimester; good idea. It is possible beyond three months but becomes more risky with each passing day. The risk is not only physcial risk but psychological risk you will be assuming. Many women who do undergo abortion have second thoughts after it is too late. Talk it over with a trusted professional. Preferable a competent nurse or doctor of counselor at a women's clinic or Planned Parenthood.

I have no idea the monetary cost where you may be.

[Stephanie083099]

ok, first off, I don't know about the cost of an abortion. But everyone has their own opinion about abortions and I'm going to express mine. I'm not telling anyone what to do, just telling everyone what I think about abortions.
First off, in order to have sex, you have to be ready. Everything you do has consiquences. Whether it be stepping on a high ladder and maybe falling off or having sex and maybe getting pregnant. If you don't want to fall off the ladder then don't get on it. If you are not ready to take the responsible of having a child then I don't think you should be having sex.
I don't understand how someone can just kill a child. When you have an abortion you kill an innocent child that had nothing to do with the irresponsibility of using no protection. You can get pregnant with using protection but in that case the child still has nothing to do with that. At least give the child a chance at life.
There is always a such thing as adoption. If you get pregnant and you don't think you can afford it then put it up for adoption. Give it to a family that can take care of the child. Give the child a chance at life. There are plenty of couples out there that want to have a child but for medical reasons they can't.
Pretty much what I am trying to say is if you are not ready to take care of a child(or even put it up for adoption) then don't have sex. Take the consiquences of everything you do or don't do it.


Just a question to everyone. Now that I said my thoughts on abortions, what is everyone elses opinions.

[honeyb16]

at the end of the day, i have had sex, and i don't regret it, i was ready, but i think i'm just getting paranoid, becuase iv been having stomach pains alot and im under alot of stress at moment with exams. and i no i would not have second thoughts with an abortion, im 16 years old, and that is what i want, i want a life, and i couldn't go throught with a pregnancy. its the just the things i want to know are things like, how does the abortion take place, what do they do. and if im 17 will it cost me??? please help me

[Brandye]

HoneyB,

Either you are yanking us around or really scared. Look in the yellow pages for either planned parenthood or a women's health clinic. Call them and get an appointment. I deal with teen pregnancies entirely too frequently and help can be given face to face that cannot be proffered in cyberspace. You need help and you need to llok at your posts for the last month. Your stories are getting a bit scrambled.

[ItalStall]

About 6 million women in the United States become pregnant every year. Half of these pregnancies are unintended. Each year about 1 million American women choose abortion for these unintended pregnancies.

There are many practical, emotional, moral and financial issues involved in deciding whether to abort a pregnancy or not. Only you can decide if this is the right choice for you. But you need to be well-informed of the options.

Anyone considering this alternative requires more personal/professional information than can be provided on a Message Board such as this.

For general information check out a site such as WebMd; here is a link to their section on *Abortion. There is a lot of detail there about how it is done and all the ramifications.

However, if you think you might be pregnant, nothing beats getting the advice of your own health-care professional - your family doctor or health clinic. They can ensure you fully understand your situation and help you make the best decision possible in your own individual case.

As has already been said, the availability of abortion and the financial costs depend on where you live (whether the law allows it and under what conditions) and your local healthcare provisions (whether the cost is covered or not by your health-care system or by your private health plan - if you have one). Contact your local Planned Parenthood or doctor for the answer to this one.

[Brandye]

Steph,

One of the hardest things about my job is separating my personal beliefs from good medical advice. I have families prolong life when their loved one is suffering; I refer for abortion when I go home and cry; I pump the stomach of an incomplete suicide who will be infantile. I appreciate your position, Steph, but the positions of millions of other women are there, too. Do not judge, empathise.

[Stephanie083099]

I'm not judging anyone. Everyone has their own opinions and views on things. I just chose to express mine. Not everyone has to feel the same way I do but I still want everyone to here the way I feel. Freedom of speech.

[demonbuttercup]

i could go all day on this subject but i wont. i know we always tell the young people on this site that before they have sex they should be aware of the consequences and be mature enough to handle them before they have sex. on the other hand, if we all waited till we were ready to have and raise children to have sex, everyone would be a virgin in their mid 20's and i highly doubt thats likely. i myself waited until i was 21 to have sex and im definetly not ready for a kid, and i probably wont be for many many years to come. i dont think its right for women to have 3-4 abortions just b/c they dont want to use a condom but accidents happen. if a girl ends up pregnant and theres no way she is ready to have it then i dont see why there shouldn't be the option of having an abortion. when it comes to pro-lifers i see the situation as more political than moral. even if no woman had abortion i think the choice should be out there. no one should be able to take away our right to choose. until you are faced w/ that decision there is no way you can know how that other person feels.

[honeyb16]

im so happy iv just come on my period 3 days late, and iv been feeling sick with the thought of pregnancy.