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An Irish woman’s experience of the abortion process
 Cork
woman Eileen (name has been changed to protect identity) came to London
over 15 years ago when she found out she was pregnant. Here is her story
as told to Elaine Sheridan.
I was living at home in Cork and was absolutely in turmoil when I found
out I was pregnant back in 1992.
Although I was aged about 20 and an adult at the time, it was a total
shock to the system.
I had one night of unprotected sex with a guy I hardly knew.
I just panicked and knew that I couldn’t tell my
parents — they would be devastated.
I knew myself that I was no way ready to have a baby just yet so the boat
to London seemed a very good option — the only option.
Firstly I got in touch with the Marie Stopes organisation and they advised
me where to go in London.
Luckily I had friends living over there so I stayed with them.
I got the boat over and eventually landed in Euston station.
I had my appointment with a clinic in Tottenham, North London the next
morning at 11am — no questions asked.
I was really anxious and nervous about the whole thing but I knew it had
to be done.
Sitting in the clinic was a daunting experience.
There were about six other girls there of all ages and all having the
same thing done.
It felt really strange but comforting that we were all there for the same
reason.
After an examination I was told that I could have the termination the
next day. I felt a real sense of relief at being told that.
Up until then I didn’t know how far I was gone but I guessed it
was around 8-10 weeks.
I went back the next morning for 10am to have the termination done.
The doctor introduced himself and told me not to worry.
In all the procedure took a couple of hours from start to finish.
I just felt numb afterwards but relieved that it was over.
The doctor wanted me to stay overnight but my friends insisted that I
went home with them instead of lying in a bed thinking continuously of
what I had just done.
A couple of other girls were crying afterwards so I just wanted to get
out of there.
I got the boat home the next day and life carried on as normal.
But I must admit as the years went on I began to think more and more about
it.
As I got older prangs of guilt would creep in and I started thinking that
it had ruined my chance of having another baby.
But thankfully I am happily married with two beautiful children and life
couldn’t be better for me.
No-one knows anything about it and that is the way I want to keep it.
I am just so glad that I had a choice because I was not ready back then.
However it did teach me a lesson as far as contraception was concerned.
I think every woman should have the right to chose for themselves.
It’s just a shame that young girls still have to travel from Ireland
over to Britain to have an abortion in this day and age. |
