My Body, My Choice

An unplanned pregnancy can be very overwhelming, especially if you have no intention of keeping the pregnancy full-term. If you are afraid that you may be sitting with an unwanted pregnancy and in need of an abortion… Do not worry, you have come to the right place. This can be a scary time, you may feel alone, you may feel like you do not know where to turn or who you can trust.

All these feelings are valid, remember to take a breath and to think strategically as to how you are going to do this, because after all, abortion is legal in South Africa, and you will get the assistance you need.

Abortion in South Africa has been legal since 1997. This means that all pregnant people have the right to a free abortion at a public health facility until 20 weeks of pregnancy.

If you or a friend need an abortion and want more information, these are some steps you can follow:
– Firstly, wait at least 10 days after the unprotected sex took place to take a pregnancy test to confirm that you indeed are pregnant. You can do this at home or go to your nearest clinic to be examined.
* If you are pregnant, contact your closest public health facility to find out whether they have medical practitioners who offer this service.
* If they offer the service (which they should), make an appointment for the abortion to be performed.
* If they do not offer the service, ask them to give you a referral letter that will refer your case to another facility close by.
* Remember that abortions at public facilities are free of charge.
* If you want to have an abortion at a private clinic, there are many different places you can go to, especially for those located close to cities:
Marie Stopes is a great option, contact them on their TOLL-FREE number here for more information: 0800 11 77 85
* Abortions at private or semi-private facilities are not free of charge.

Timeline for abortions:
– Within the first 12 weeks (3 months) of pregnancy there are no conditions to accessing an abortion.
*The abortion needs to be performed by a doctor, a nurse or a registered midwife.
* Abortions are usually done by providing the pregnant person with abortion pills / up until 10 weeks, although some clinics may administer pills up until 13 weeks.
* This type of abortion is called a medical abortion.

Abortions after 13 weeks
This abortion is called a surgical abortion and they use a small suction tool to clean out the contents of the uterus. A surgical abortion can only be performed under the following circumstances:
* Rape or incest
* Danger to your mental and/or physical health
* The foetus is not viable
* If the pregnancy will significantly affect the pregnant person’s economic and /or social circumstances.
* If the pregnancy is a danger to your life or the health of the foetus
* Performed by a doctor

After your abortion:
* You may experience light bleeding for a few days or weeks
* Drink lots of warm fluids
* Rest up and if you are experiencing any cramps use a hot water bottle
* Take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after to make sure the abortion was successful
* Do not put anything into your vagina 5 days after the abortion, this includes no penetrative sex and no tampons, menstrual cups
* Use protection when you have penile penetrative sex again.

There is no shame in taking care of your reproductive health. In South Africa you can obtain an abortion without the consent of your parents, but if you have a trusted friend or guardian, tell them about your decision and ask them to support you on your journey.

Information supplied by Sexual & Reproductive Justice Coalition, Legal Resource Centre, Women’s Legal Centre, Women Help Women, FemmeProjects.

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17 Responses

Very helpful piece.

Thapelo Matemane · 2 months ago

I believe that if you're not ready to have a baby, you shouldn't engaged in any sexual activities until you're sure and ready.

Moyase Millicent Sithole · 2 months ago

I believe that if you're not ready to have a baby, you shouldn't engage in any sexual activities until you're sure and ready.

Make me understand, why engaging in sexual activities, unprotected, knowing that you can get pregnant and you aren't ready for that ? Personally abstaining is a way to go. But in cases of rape many would say it makes perfect sense to consider abortion because a mother end up hating the child, saying s/he reminds her of her painful experience and that fateful day.

Sonia Mokone · 2 months ago

If you don't want an unwanted pregnancy then don't be reckless and abstain from having unprotected, and pre-marital sex. Honestly, there is truly no justification for abortion, under the guise of "my body, my choice." Also, "In South Africa you can obtain an abortion without the consent of your parents," What exactly is the writer promoting to the young and impressionable youth with this article? That's it's okay to be reckless, it's your body. Just fix it with a quick abortion without the knowledge of your parents? This article leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Gouwa · 2 months ago

You have a right to do what ever you want with your body men change anytime.

Ziphozihle Zake · 3 months ago

rather abstain, this is uhmmm... even condoms are free guys.

eve…@gmai... · 3 months ago

I know you guys lovvve to worry about doing it but remember that not all of us are ready to be parents especially to keep a child that will bring trauma like me

Lucia. · 3 months ago

So helpfully

pre…@gmai... · 3 months ago

Good advice, it's definitely a personal choice because of different situations. Sin or not

sib…@gmai... · 3 months ago

Even though we knw very well the outcomes of not having protected sex is a "baby" n disease ofcoz,they teach about all these in our everyday day life,,sometimes I would say it's our ignorance..but anyway who m I to judge??we are all sinners...and people have their own reasons to their decisions..yr body yr decision...but please let's do it for a reasonable reason.

Kagiso Motlanalo Veroniccah Motshana · 3 months ago

Right now I'm pregnant u feel like I should've aborted my unborn child, because of my boyfriend acting up right now he's not the person he is before. Right now he's working a stable and a good paying job he's not supportive I'm having seizures almost every week everytime I think about our relationship but whatever situation you go through don't abort that child it might be the last one just pray and have faith.

zon…@gmai... · 3 months ago

Yes Abortion is legal in south Africa, but doing abortion is a Sin it's like killing your unborn baby, We should avoid doing it by protecting our selves when we have sex , Condoms, Contraceptive Pills, and injection to avoid pregnancy it's free at the clinic. And also they is a morning after pill you take it after having unprotected sex. If we can avoid pregnancy they won't be a need for Abortions .

Kek…@gmai... · 3 months ago

At the end of the day it's your body and I feel like it's your personal choice. Sometimes you have to be selfish and think about yourself. Imagine a girl who is pregnant and coming from a poor family obviously the unborn child will be raised in poverty and no person would want that for their child. Yes abortion is wrong and a sin but sometimes it's for the best and you don't have a choice 🤷‍♀️

N…@gmai... · 3 months ago

Doing abortion is a sin because is the same as killing an innocent unborn child and lot of girls died during the process of abortion. It is our body our choice but it's a risk. The best way is to use other contraception methods to avoid unplanned pregnancy.

Evah Ngobeni · 3 months ago

Someone died during the process; I couldn't do it because I was scared of dying.

zik…@gmai... · 3 months ago

We do have a choice with our own bodies and that's good hey. I remember my friend was preg she was scared that her parents would kick her out especially her father. She wanted to abort but I advised her against it. Now her child is so grown up and cute. And also her bf wasn't supportive, she advised me no to have sex b4 marriage, because of some of the things that happened to her. This was a wake up call.

Omphilwe Letsoalo · 3 months ago

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