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AIBU?

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Original poster

abortion illegal

163 replies

Eyylaa87 · 29/12/2022 05:12

Posting here for the traffic, im so sorry

Just found out I am pregnant. I am an expat living abroad (Turkey) and although on paper abortion is still legal, I have found out that no clinic or hospital or doctor will perform one without a medical reason to do so. So basically abortions are legal however we cannot access them.

I am 6 weeks pregnant and really do not want to continue with this. I have looked online at travelling to the UK for one however they are around 500GBP which I really cannot afford :( Although I am financially well considering where I live, once my wage and money is converted to pounds I am considered poor. I am terribly stuck and now even considering keeping a baby I am not ready for at all.

Any advice please

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
RogersOrganismicProcess · 29/12/2022 06:43

Try Looking in Izmir, it is a much more westernised city, more open with less support for ergodan’s regime.

RogersOrganismicProcess · 29/12/2022 06:48

Saying that, things have changed, those who are openly seen as (or suspected of) being against erdogan are jailed without trail now, so perhaps that includes the doctors who would have helped.

if I were you I would leave all together.

HarvestThyme · 29/12/2022 06:57

Returning to the UK will not cost you £500. You need to flights, a place to stay, money for food and transportation. And then the cost of the procedure.

Use a credit card. One of you must have one. Obviously having a baby will cost significantly more.

Original poster
Eyylaa87 · 29/12/2022 06:58

RogersOrganismicProcess · 29/12/2022 06:48

Saying that, things have changed, those who are openly seen as (or suspected of) being against erdogan are jailed without trail now, so perhaps that includes the doctors who would have helped.

if I were you I would leave all together.

Yes exactly this. The doctors all fear him, anyone who acts otherwise is jailed with their license to practice removed - so forever unemployed. Which doctor would risk that? What used to be a liberal country has changed rapidly in the past few years.

I have spoken to a few hospitals in Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara - all are saying that unless there is a medical reason, they cannot abort.

OP posts:
Cailin66 · 29/12/2022 07:03

Eyylaa87 · 29/12/2022 05:28

I am with the babies father however together we still cannot afford the amount to get an abortion in the UK :(

I dont have to many family or friends but I think I can ask to borrow off them - only problem is it may take years for me to pay them back. I want to be honest with them, it will take us years with our currency to pay them back (considering the pound inflating everyday here) and I don't know who would loan me money once I have said that

So can you ask one of them to get you an abortion pill, and you travel to the UK to take them?

Alternatively you borrow the money and you pay them back even if it takes years.

How are you able to live in Turkey if you are not able to financially support yourself. Surely there are woman's organisations there which can help and advise you.

AutumnCrow · 29/12/2022 07:08

www.asn.org.uk/reputable-providers-of-ema/

Original poster
Eyylaa87 · 29/12/2022 07:09

Cailin66 · 29/12/2022 07:03

So can you ask one of them to get you an abortion pill, and you travel to the UK to take them?

Alternatively you borrow the money and you pay them back even if it takes years.

How are you able to live in Turkey if you are not able to financially support yourself. Surely there are woman's organisations there which can help and advise you.

Show quote history

I mentioned in first few posts that I am comfortable in Turkey. I work in an office my partner is an engineer. We would even be considered well of in 'Turkish' standards. However our currency is terrible compared to British pounds. I have not managed to go on a holiday to the UK in the past four yers because I simply cannot afford it. However I am able to afford a perfect beach holiday twice a year in Turkey.

OP posts:
AutumnCrow · 29/12/2022 07:12

AutumnCrow · 29/12/2022 07:08

This links to information about women who will help you.

Original poster
Eyylaa87 · 29/12/2022 07:17

AutumnCrow · 29/12/2022 07:12

This links to information about women who will help you.

Show quote history

Thnk you :( i have just written to them. I hope they will be helpful - I have put together everything I have and it comes to around 150pounds :( It really isnt going to cover anything.

I am getting more tearful and stressed - I have spoken to so many hospitals and all I am getting is 'we don't perform them' - three hospitals even suggested that a baby is a blessing and that I should be grateful and avoid sinning!!!! I am now looking at unregistered places - This does seem my only choice

OP posts:
GrumpyPanda · 29/12/2022 07:18

As others are mentioned, there are definitely women's organizations that can help with medical abortion and are really reliable. In addition to those already mentioned i would also look at Women on Waves who do seem to also work with women in Turkey: www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/5129/abortion-law-turkey.

For resources in neighbouring countries don't forget to also look at Georgia- although if Bulgaria is a struggle Tbilisi may not be within reach either.

Original poster
Eyylaa87 · 29/12/2022 07:21

GrumpyPanda · 29/12/2022 07:18

As others are mentioned, there are definitely women's organizations that can help with medical abortion and are really reliable. In addition to those already mentioned i would also look at Women on Waves who do seem to also work with women in Turkey: www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/5129/abortion-law-turkey.

For resources in neighbouring countries don't forget to also look at Georgia- although if Bulgaria is a struggle Tbilisi may not be within reach either.

I cannot acess the link given? Thank you so much I am checking everything - Greece is more expensive than uk. I will check Bulgaria

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 29/12/2022 07:23

Headoutofplace · 29/12/2022 05:48

You can get 'telemedical' abortion services in the UK, basically get the pills sent to you up to 10 weeks - do you know anyone in the UK you could ask to get them for you and post them on?

No clinic or doctor will do that either.

UnicornsHaveDadsToo · 29/12/2022 07:23

Hi OP,
I may be able to help. Where in Turkey are you, and do you and/or your husband speak Turkish?
Let me know if you'd like me to help and I'll PM you, there'd be too much detail to make a public post.

Dachshund40 · 29/12/2022 07:24

Please contact BPAS, they provide abortions to woman abroad, as you are British I’m sure they will help, here is the link you need:
www.bpas.org/abortion-care/considering-abortion/international-clients/
Please to not go to an unregistered clinic, your health and safety will be at risk.

Cailin66 · 29/12/2022 07:37

Eyylaa87 · 29/12/2022 07:09

I mentioned in first few posts that I am comfortable in Turkey. I work in an office my partner is an engineer. We would even be considered well of in 'Turkish' standards. However our currency is terrible compared to British pounds. I have not managed to go on a holiday to the UK in the past four yers because I simply cannot afford it. However I am able to afford a perfect beach holiday twice a year in Turkey.

Show quote history

You didn’t reply to what I asked. Can you fly to relatives in the UK, stay with them, and take abortion pills?

If both you and your partner are relatively well off but cannot save even one pound a week how would you be able to afford a child.

SillyYak · 29/12/2022 07:50

Shereturnsforonemore · 29/12/2022 06:27

Came here to recommend Women On Web too.

MintyFreshOne · 29/12/2022 07:56

Cailin66 · 29/12/2022 07:37

You didn’t reply to what I asked. Can you fly to relatives in the UK, stay with them, and take abortion pills?

If both you and your partner are relatively well off but cannot save even one pound a week how would you be able to afford a child.

Show quote history

The Turkish currency has dropped precipitously under Erdogan. So while you can live very comfortably in Turkey, the exchange rate to foreign currencies will kill you.

Because of this, expats are typically paid in US dollars, but local hires do not have the same privilege.

SillyYak · 29/12/2022 07:59

OP, Women on Web and Women on Waves were founded by the same person, a Dutch doctor. It looks like the website for both organisations is censored within Turkey (ie blocked, which is why you can’t access it). You should be able to access their Wikipedia page

Read that and see if they sound like they can help, then investigate a way to circumvent the Turkish web censorship to access their services (someone on here can probably help with that, it’s usually not too hard).

DetalMetector · 29/12/2022 08:02

Firstly OP sympathies for this traumatic situation you find yourself in. You don’t need anyone on here to tell you that lack of choice in having a baby is emotionally devastating and is a life changing experience to be at the sharp end of. I hope you have good support IRL at the moment.
I don’t know what will be the best option for you but there are various legit avenues to try so please try to focus on those for legal and safety reasons.
I would second contacting BPAS for advice by phone or text, although they will not be able to (as I understand it) legally offer you abortion pills themselves if you live outside the UK- they will be able to signpost you on. And you can ask them anything and they are kind and well informed and will support you as best they can. If you want to have the abortion in the UK you could ask their advice about charitable support for women coming to the UK for an abortion from overseas.
Their website says that ‘Women on Web and Women Help Women provide genuine EMA medication, advice, and support to women around the world’. So it may be that is another option for you. www.bpas.org/abortion-care/considering-abortion/northern-ireland-funded-abortion-treatment/
Good luck and I am so sorry that this is happening to you and to women in Turkey.

Doodledeedum · 29/12/2022 08:05

I'm not sure where you are but are you more likely to be able to access one in the bigger more metropolitan cities such as Istanbul? Izmir or Ankara? Possibly cheaper to travel there ?

Doodledeedum · 29/12/2022 08:07

Apologies I've just seen you looked in to this

DetalMetector · 29/12/2022 08:11

UK abortion providers including the NHS can provide abortions in the UK, to women who have come to the UK from abroad. AFAIK this means it would not be legally possible for any of them to send pills overseas outside the UK, because they are working under the 1967 Abortion Act which only applies to GB and now more recently in Northern Ireland.

Martialisthebestpup · 29/12/2022 08:18

I would check out prices in Germany and France.

LulooLemon · 29/12/2022 08:18

I would be very wary of having pills posted to you from abroad. It might not be legal to receive them.

continueorterminate · 29/12/2022 08:31

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