Four years ago, my partner and I were hit with the shock of an unplanned pregnancy. At the time, we had a three-year-old daughter, and another baby did not fit with our life plans. We decided to have an abortion.
I thought this wouldn’t be too difficult because abortion is legal in my home country, North Macedonia. A person can request one during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy, and, in special circumstances, up to 22 weeks. The health service is obliged to react accordingly and provide all the necessary care.
So, the day after finding out I was pregnant, I visited my gynaecologist and informed her of my decision. Much to my surprise, she spent the next 40 minutes asking questions and trying to dissuade me, warning that I “may regret my decision”.
