Helen's Story

I made a mistake with my contraception in a moment of passion and got pregnant. No boyfriend really, and no money. And no way was I ready to be a single mom, even though I was 30.

At the time, 1988 in Canada, abortion was illegal unless the woman's life or health was in danger. I remember being worried when I went to the doctor that the "Committee" would not allow the abortion. He told me not to worry, they would approve it. Luckily, it turned out that my local hospital simply rubber-stamped abortion requests. Many other Canadian women were not so lucky. The anti-choice honed their political skills taking over countless hospital boards.

Actually, I had the abortion about 10 days after Canada's abortion law was completely thrown out by the Supreme Court in the historic Morgentaler case. But since my abortion was already "approved" under the old Criminal law, it didn't affect me.

I had to wait three weeks which seemed to drag on forever, and I had bad morning sickness and felt traumatized most of the time. The abortion was a big relief and I've never regretted it. I remember going out for a walk later that day after the abortion. It was early February, but a beautiful warm spring-like day, and I felt really wonderful both physically and emotionally. It was like an incredible weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Helen
October 1998