I actually have two stories concerning abortions, though I've only had one. I'll tell you about my actual abortion first, then I'll fill you in on my second abortion story.
I had four children, was married to a poor starving artist and living in Florence, Italy, when I got pregnant for the seventh time. I had two miscarriages, so this would have been my fifth child had I chosen to let it live. When I got pregnant, abortion was illegal in Italy, but there are always avenues. I was told of an obstetrician who was performing illegal abortions and had been arrested numerous times, but who might just consent to performing an abortion on me.
As it turns out, this doctor, after a few arrests, trials and imprisonments, was instrumental in getting abortion legalized in Italy. He was in the radical party in Italy and had their backing in his pursuits. At one time at least, Italy had the most liberal abortion law in Europe. And I was lucky enough to become great friends with this doctor, who, while he could not help me himself, was able to see I got the abortion I needed. Please follow after the orange squiggly to see the rest of the two stories.
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I was able to contact this Dr. Conciani through clandestine ways and means and was finally to meet him at a sympathetic Italian's house for a consult. He examined me on her kitchen table and found I was just at three months and he could not take a risk to perform the abortion himself in someone's kitchen. He then arranged for me to go to England where abortion was legal, and I went with twelve other women on the train to London to have my unplanned, unwanted child taken from me.
I had friends in London and spent the night before the abortion at their house. Early the next morning my friend Kate drove me to the clinic where the abortion was to be performed. I remember how nice and non-judgmental everyone was to me. No lectures, no tsk, tsks at all. Just comforting and calming nurses. I was first given a pill with a slight sedative effect. While waiting for my turn, I talked to this little interloper and told it I was sorry I could not let it be born, but that I just couldn't. My husband was a poor, starving artist, we couldn't even feed what we had, my health was not good, my nerves were shot and it would lead a terrible life if I allowed it to be born from me. I don't remember feeling sadness or remorse. Just an eagerness to have it over with.
Soon, I was wheeled into the operating room, knocked out and the abortion was performed. When I awoke, I was somewhat groggy and they gave me a luncheon to eat and that was that. Kate picked me up soon after I ate and we went back to her house for the rest of the day and night.
Early the next morning we women met at the London train station for the ride back to Florence. I don't think I had any after effects or any pain or discomfort from the procedure at all. All I could feel was relief. I do know the train ride was somewhat unpleasant as it was another bloody voting day in Italy and people from all over were going back to their hometowns to vote and the train wa so crowded we had to stand for hours as there were no seats.
And there you have my second abortion story and now for the first. When I got pregant with my fourth child, I was not married to the father of the baby, rather I was married to my husband. I left him and went off to Italy with the father of my child, but before I did, my friends all thought I should have an abortion. Our relationship was new, I would be moving to a foreign country, my lover didn't lead a very stable life, etc. None of my friends thought it would be good for me to have my fourth child. And I could not even contemplate having an abortion. It would not compute anywhere in my brain. It was completely out of the quesiton. And when I got pregnant with my fifth child, I could not even contemplate having a baby. It would not compute anywhere in my brain. And that's why it is only the woman - sorry men - who have a right to decide if abortion is for them or not. I instinctively knew when I couldn't and when I could. When it was impossible and when it was necessary. I do not think most women take abortion lightly. I know I didn't. I only know when the time came that I had to have one, it was a fairly easy choice to make and I have never had any regrets. So please, Republicans. Stay out of women's lives when it comes to their reproductive choices. For it is only up to us to make the decision when that time comes and we need no help or input from you.