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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
DifferenceEngines · 29/12/2022 20:07

PurpleButterflyWings · 29/12/2022 17:36

I am pleased you're sorted and I hope it all goes well. I am confused though, as to how they are charging a hefty amount, but you are 'very very lucky' you can pay it. When on your first/opening post, you said you originally couldn't scrape together £500. Confused

I'll leave it there. I'm out.

Show quote history

Erm - exchange rates? The OP has explained this pretty clearly.

Yaslana · 29/12/2022 22:55

11000TRY (Turkish lira) is about £487GBP the amount the op said she couldn't afford....

Yaslana · 29/12/2022 22:57

Also, op left her job earlier in the month due to childcare issues? I suggested @Mnhq look in to this one

LulooLemon · 29/12/2022 22:58

Good luck OP

LazJaz · 29/12/2022 23:01

www.womenonweb.org
you can get medical abortion pills from this charity until 10 weeks. They provide support and guidance too.
good luck OP. What a stressful situation

Original poster
Eyylaa87 · 30/12/2022 05:54

Yaslana · 29/12/2022 22:57

Also, op left her job earlier in the month due to childcare issues? I suggested @Mnhq look in to this one

I find posts like this hilarious. I considered not even responding but then I wouldn't like all those who helped to think this wasn't genuine.

I live in a small town - I have been here for YEARS. Everyone knows everyone. I quit on a Friday and by the Monday I got another offer for a job without applying. By Wednesday another and so on. Schools, offices, cafes, PA jobs all were offered. I am a native english speaker - I don't think I have to describe how precious they are here. I quit on the Friday and was working in my new job (not teaching) the Wednesday after next. I'm sure someone will ask so let me also add I am not payed in dollars or euros as some suggested - this only happens in the big cities - Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir etc. I live in a town - although pay for a native speaker is higher than average it sill is a lot below what native speakers earn in the big cities.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eyylaa87 · 30/12/2022 05:56

LazJaz · 29/12/2022 23:01

www.womenonweb.org
you can get medical abortion pills from this charity until 10 weeks. They provide support and guidance too.
good luck OP. What a stressful situation

Thank you so much, I arranged an abortion in another city. Someone helped me find a doctor as searches in Turkey are very limited. However I did write to wmen on web yesterday - Ill put their reply here:

((Thank you for reaching out.

We understand how annoying it can be.

Unfortunately, Women on Web's service closed to Turkey since all of the packages that sent to Turkey seized by customs.

If you're located in Istanbul, we can try to refer you local options.

Please let us know where do you located.

Also we can try to send a package, we cannot guarantee that you will receive the package, but we can try. ))))

To be honest I emailed everyone (women on waves, asn, bpas etc) and women on web were the most helpful. The others just rightfully said we are blocked in turkey, packages will be searched so nothing we can do.

OP posts:
MintyFreshOne · 30/12/2022 06:32

It’s sad people couldn’t trust the OP but it seems in line with what I’ve subsequently read online.

I thought Turkey allowed electives up to 10 weeks but turns out that is just on paper and it’s quite difficult to access, as the OP has discovered.

If you live in MENA (or MENAT if you like) it’s so important to consider this aspect as you’ll invariably have to go abroad for any elective surgery and it’s risky to get medication from abroad, at best they will confiscate but you could also be prosecuted.

LazJaz · 30/12/2022 08:27

@Eyylaa87 I’m so pleased that you have been able to find a solution. Good luck with the procedure. Thinking of you.

I’m so sorry to hear about the women on web situation - that’s really terrible news.

sashh · 30/12/2022 08:54

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/12/2022 16:18

There probably are charities like this? Does anyone know? If not, seems quite a gap, no?

There have been some posted on this thread. Mostly for countries where it's illegal though. May be why Turkey is an issue, as it's not illegal, just very very restrictive.

If you want to donate, ASN is great.

And if you have a spare bedroom you can volunteer to host women who have to travel to the UK.

Legallypinkish · 30/12/2022 09:10

So glad you got it sorted out. Good luck for next week x

DetalMetector · 30/12/2022 10:12

I’m so sorry Eyylaa87 that all those international organisations weren’t able to reliably help you. I’m relieved that you managed to find and pay for the help you need in your country. Thinking of you and wishing you well.x

DetalMetector · 30/12/2022 10:16

I’ll ask for this post to be moved if it’s inappropriate to this thread because it’s not a specific reply to OP’s post. There are organisations campaigning for abortion rights internationally Eg
www.safeabortionwomensright.org/

To find out more about the global picture on access to abortion this journal article is helpful:
Abortion Law and Policy Around the World
In Search of Decriminalization
Marge Berer
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5473035/

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