Know me before you judge me

Abortion. Every person has an opinion about it, i mean surely you've heard or come across it once in your life. Who are we to judge those who do, when we don't even know what it's like to be in their position?

Of course there will be other significant reasons to why they would consider having an abortion; unintended pregnancy, impregnated through rape, or maybe raising a child was difficult for them during this time.

Whatever the scenario, this new life is depending on you to make a wise decision. The next few months can be full of regret and remorse or they can be full of excitement and anticipation. Which will you choose?

 There are recent laws being passed for giving free birth control for beneficiaries. But a lot of arguments are created by this. According to Rebecca Occleston, from the Beneficiary Advisory Service in Christchurch, said on a local radio broadcast that it was "insulting", the way only people on benefit were targeted. Occleston states, "I think they are putting it in a way that implies that people on benefits are having children deliberately, so here, have some contraception, that will stop the problem". (Occleston. 08/05/12)

But the truth is that beneficiaries struggle to afford some various options of contraception.
So then by this new law been given, beneficiaries can have better access to contraception and making it a lower chance of babies born under them. If the mother struggles to provide for herself, how will they possibly raise a child? In my opinion I think this is a bit unfair, selfish and cruel to bring up a child into this world with no financial stability.  "We certainly have concerns about children being born to those on welfare and we see the access to contraception as being a barrier, particularly the cost around it." (Bennett. 2012). These kids will grow up not knowing what is around them, due to the limited things they are left with. For example, mothers who regret giving birth and keeping a child, they are more likely to commit DV (domestic violence) towards their children which could create bad influences and scars that can never be erased. These children are most likely to be scared living in such an environment, that even if they tell someone about it, something worse will happen so they just don't say anything. Children deserve the best and growing up is the most important influence they will ever have, so they can learn adapt to the rest of the population.

Majority of women have the abortion procedure done during the first trimester, because it is the most safest time for the baby and for the woman to have one, so they can avoid having complications and further health issues later on in life. There are three different procedures that take place:  Mifepristone, Methotrexate and the Vacuum Aspiration. All of which have a high percentage of success rate ranging between 95-99%. These procedures have their own disadvantages, such as:

• takes several days to complete  

• bleeding post surgical abortion

But on the upside advantages as follows:

• success rate
• procedure taking place earlier on in the pregnancy
• anesthesia not required
• resembles a natural miscarriage

The hardest thing to decide on is to confront wanting to have an abortion. There are many places that provide counselling and help to support and guide you in the right direction. Of course it is completely confidential and no one will ever judge you for the decision you make. 

Best of all abortions are legal in New Zealand if you meet criteria. 

This includes two consultants agreeing that the pregnancy would seriously harm your mental or physical health or that your baby would have a serious disability. They may also consider your age and whether the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. 

There is no legal age limit on the person having the abortion, this means that a female of any age can consent to an abortion - or refuse to have one. Girls under 16 do not need to inform their parents or seek parental consent.

A woman does not need the consent of her partner before having an abortion. The male cannot force his partner to have an abortion. 

 So what do I think? I believe it is perfectly natural to have an abortion, if you have a legitimate reason to and if you are positive that it is what's best for themselves and for their child. Because you shouldn't judge someone before you know them.