After experiencing an unwanted pregnancy resulting from rape, the founder and director of Abortion Support South Africa, Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile, from Gauteng, underwent an unsafe abortion due to the stigma and idea that she was sinning.
“I had an abortion in 2009, during my first year of university. I was raped and couldn’t keep the pregnancy. I had to complete my studies, and I also couldn’t afford to have a child. I was 19. At the time, I felt terrible, kept it a secret, and didn’t want anyone or my family, especially my father, to know. I felt I was committing a sin or crime. I felt guilty, and I was depressed for three years,” Phalaetsile shares her heartbreaking ordeal.
“After sharing my story in 2016 on Facebook, many women came to me either needing emotional support or seeking an abortion. The situation is dire; people don’t know where to go and don’t have money for other private clinics. I then started an organisation where we provide a telemedical abortion service for up to nine weeks using email and social media.
“We have partner doctors who confirm the pregnancy; and we work with pharmacies across the country who ensure women get the medication at the cost of R180. It’s self-managed abortions that we can provide.”
Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile
Phalaetsile states that people need to remember that abortion is a medical procedure, not a religion. “We need to educate more people about the right to choose because abortion will happen whether we believe in it or not. The point is to make it accessible to women so they have a right to choose.”
READ NEXT: Abortion: Rather be safe than sorry when taking the leap
‘I was forced to have an abortion’
Sarah Mzizi from Gauteng, who was forced by her elders to undergo an abortion, explains that her father was paying her university fees, and she was threatened with the possibility of him stopping if she continued with the pregnancy. Despite knowing that she wanted to keep the baby, she was coerced into agreeing to the abortion.
“I was forced to undergo an abortion by my mom, aunt, and grandmother, who claimed that I was still young at 19 years old and in my first year at university. My mother even went as far as threatening to commit suicide if I didn’t comply.”
Sarah Mzizi
“I was scared that my mother would carry out her threat and didn’t want my siblings to blame me or my child for losing a mother, so I reluctantly went through with the surgical abortion at 16 weeks pregnant.”
“The physical repercussions of the abortion were significant, causing disturbances to my stomach lining and resulting in gastroenteritis. Emotionally, the aftermath of the abortion weighed heavily on me, to the point where I felt overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, guilt, and regret.”
A decade later, Mzizi says she continues to carry the emotional burden of the decision to terminate the pregnancy, as she often finds herself grappling with the thought of what could have been, imagining how her child might have looked, and wondering about the life they could have shared together.
“There is a misconception that those who have abortions do not experience any emotional consequences or regrets. In reality, many people who have abortions may experience a range of emotions, including sadness, guilt, and regret.”
“It is important to acknowledge and validate these emotions and provide support to individuals who may be struggling with their decision.”
“Access to safe and legal abortion care is essential for individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. It is also important to never allow anyone to force you into an abortion if it goes against your wishes, as the decision is irreversible,” says Mzizi.
READ NEXT: Telemedicine increases access to safe abortion care
‘I saw women die of back-street abortions’
Natasha Mfokwane, a midwife and Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) provider from Limpopo, shares that she was encouraged to become a CTOP provider after seeing women die from back-street abortions.
“I took it upon myself to help women who are not ready to have babies, no matter the reason, safely and painlessly. In my opinion, most women are scared to utilise health care facilities for abortions because some say certain nurses can be rude and judgemental, so back street they don’t care; they give you what you want, no questions asked.”
“Seeking an unsafe abortion can result in having the uterus removed because it is rotten from the remaining products of conception, infection, and death. Abortion has no age; it can be done on any woman of any age, even 12 years of age. Children under the age of 18 do not need parental consent; they sign on their own. Clients are counselled about the procedure, so we prepare them psychologically for the consequences and possible complications.”
Dr Mzamo Jakavula from Cape Town, a medical doctor with extensive experience and a passion for mental health advocacy, explains that pregnancy is not only terminated by the choice of the mother but can also be terminated for medical reasons (for example, where the foetus is severely deformed, or continuing with the pregnancy leads to severe health issues for the mother, etc.).
“It is always important for the mother to receive counselling before this process to make sure it is what they want and to assist them in coping with the entire process. Failure to receive proper counselling before and after can lead to feelings of guilt, regret, depression, a sense of loss, etc.”
Dr Mzamo Jakavula
“If the procedure is not done by a trained and qualified health professional in a suitable environment, with the correct equipment (backstreet or illegal TOP), there is a high risk of damaging the uterus (womb) to the extent that one can never fall pregnant again. Uncontrolled bleeding or severe infection that may lead to death. Sometimes the uterus becomes so badly damaged that it has to be removed.”
He further underlines that the safest period for a woman to do a termination of pregnancy is before eight weeks, provided the mother does not have any serious medical conditions.
“During this period, the procedure can usually be done on tablets only (previously called medical abortion) and rarely requires the womb to be cleaned. Up to 12 weeks is still considered safe, although the chances of needing the womb to be cleaned increase (previously called surgical abortion).”
“After the first trimester (after three months), the risk of complications increases, and the procedure is best done in a suitable environment. After 20 weeks (five months), the procedure can only be done in the hospital for medical reasons because the risk of complications is extremely high.”
Jakavula adds that the Constitution protects a woman’s right to choose whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. He says services are accessible at public health facilities, and you do not have to incur unnecessary costs seeking help in unsafe places or from unqualified people.
“If a facility does not offer such services, they have to refer you to the closest facility where you can access them. No one can impose their religious beliefs on you. The law allows a woman to terminate for any reason before 12 weeks of pregnancy. Between 12 and 20 weeks, you can terminate for socioeconomic or medical reasons (e.g., you have no means to support the child, etc.).
“If there is anyone who claims they can assist you in terminating a pregnancy after the fifth month and beyond (outside of a hospital environment), be careful. The chances of ending up with a damaged womb or being dead are extremely high,” Jakavula warns.
ALSO READ: Silent sirens: Life or death wait for ambulances in Mzansi
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
