Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Choosing abortion is the greatest regret of my life

By Madeleine Weidemann - posted Thursday, 18 October 2018


Abortion solved one problem for me, but created many more which I did not know about and never chose.

After my abortion, I suffered years of regret, depression and anxiety and struggled to connect with my children when I later gave birth.

How was that a choice, or freedom? I deserved to be given all the options. I was frightened and uninformed and needed restrictions on my ability to make such a life- altering decision without first considering the impact it could have on me and those around me.

Advertisement

I was not given the dignity of a genuinely informed choice, the freedom to look at all my options, or encouraged to think for myself. Instead, it was essentially decided for me that abortion was the best and simplest, the only choice I had. And it is a dangerous world when only one choice is given.

Choosing abortion is the greatest regret of my life and the most damaging decision I have ever made.

The recently passed Queensland Labor Government’s Termination of Pregnancy Act utterly ignores my pain and regret and that of the tens of thousands of women like me. The Government has decided that abortion is the best option for unplanned pregnancies, and through this legislation is making every effort to make abortion easy for any woman at any time and for any reason.

Abortion is not an easy solution. Women need support to make an informed choice, and protection against being coerced into making a rushed decision at a time when they are vulnerable, just as I was, and without any idea of the consequences.

I named my baby later to acknowledge the child that I was still grieving for. I began to imagine the life she could have had only when I started to realise that my regret and loss was real, and not a hormonal response that would stop after several days, which is the only warning the pamphlet from the clinic gave me.

I have spent many nights in tears and many days wondering what life would be like with her in the mix of my kids today.

Advertisement

It is my hope that future governments will enact legislation and implement policies that protect the rights of both the woman and her unborn child. Because both lives matter.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

This is an edited version of Madeleine Weidemann's speech to a Rally for Life in Toowoomba on 26 September 2018.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

69 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Madeleine Weidemann is married with four children.

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 69 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy