I made my girlfriend pregnant and she is only 15.
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Originally posted by Summer hill:
minors aborting to inform parents.
fly her to the USA for abortion lah.
need to inform parents*
be careful, her dad will stick a cane to your anus and swing it around until you die.
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Abortion
If you have any questions about contraception, sexually transmitted infections, STI testing, pregnancy or abortion, the best thing you can do is speak with a doctor. If you don’t have a doctor then talk to the DSC Clinic or visit a local clinic.
Who can have an abortion?
According to the Singapore Abortion Act law:
there is no defined age limit for the abortion procedure
there is no legal requirement for parental consent for minors
abortion is prohibited after 24 weeks (6 months) of pregnancy unless the mother’s life is in danger
What is the process?
Abortion patients must undergo compulsory counselling before the procedure. Girls below 16 years of age need to be counseled at the Health Promotion Board Counselling Centre (except for rape victims).
This is followed by a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours before the procedure can be done.
If you want an abortion and your doctor refuses on personal grounds, you have the right to seek a second opinion. See here for other providers.
Patients will normally undergo post abortion counseling after the procedure and may be required to return a week later to check for any complications.
Because of the risk of infection, some doctors may advise that you should not have sex for up to two weeks after your procedure.
Types of Abortion
In Singapore, there are 2 main types of abortion procedure:
vacuum aspiration – (up to 14 weeks)
The patient will have to fast for at least 4 hours and sedation will be given as anesthesia (ie you will be put to sleep for about 10 minutes). Then a small tube is placed into the womb via the vagina. An attached vacuum will then remove the pregnancy. The patient should be able to go home after 2 to 4 hours.
Mid Trimester Pregnancy Termination – (14 to 24 weeks)
This process is more complicated and hospitalisation is usually required for a day or two. Medicine is inserted into the vagina to induce natural expulsion of the pregnancy. After the foetus and placenta are aborted, the womb is cleared by by vacuum aspiration as above.
Because the second procedure is much more complicated, it is much better for an early decision for abortion be made.
Legal restrictions on foreigners
Foreigners are only eligible for abortion in Singapore if one of the following criteria are met:
They have been residing in Singapore for 4 months or more
They are married to a Singapore citizen or have PR status
If they have a work permit
More Info
Teen Central – Health Promotion Board
Termination of Pregnancy/Abortion in Singapore – Anglo Info
Guidelines on Termination of Pregnancy (PDF) – Ministry of Health
Singapore Sees Abortion Rates Rise – AFP, May 2009
Statistics
A Ministry of Health spokeswoman said there were 12,222 abortions in Singapore in 2008, compared to 11,933 in 2007. No official figures are available for 2009 (source). During the same period there were 39,935 babies delivered indicating that roughly 1 in 4 pregnancies are terminated.
While a small proportion of pregnancies are terminated for health reasons, most terminations are due to financial or social concerns (unwanted pregnancy). -
Abortion in Singapore
Abortion in Singapore is legal. Abortion is available on request during the first 24 weeks of gestation unless the procedure is necessary to save the life or to prevent permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman
Eligibility for Abortion
Abortion is restricted to citizens of Singapore, wives of Singapore citizens and women that have resided in Singapore for a minimum duration of four months.
According to the Singapore Abortion Act law there is no defined age limit for the abortion procedure, nor is there a legal requirement for parental consent for minors under the age of 21. In other words just about anyone may request for an abortion, as long as they are of sound mind and body and understand the risks and details of the procedure.
Pre-Abortion
The Singapore Abortion Law act also requires that the woman undergoes brief counselling by a qualified abortion counsellor at any accredited abortion clinic, and watch a video on the subject.
For girls under the age of 16, they have to undergo mandatory counseling at the Health Promotion Board.
There is also a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours after the counselling before the procedure can be done. So that means you will have to visit your doctor twice. Once for the scan to confirm the pregnancy and counselling, and the second visit, two days later, to undergo the termination.
The Cost
The cost of abortion and consultation ranges from S$400 to S$2,000, depending on the type of theatre employed, the depth of anaesthesia applied and in the package inclusions.
What Happens During an Abortion
There are two types of abortion, abortion through syringe, and vacuum aspiration. Both types take about five minutes and you will need to fast for six hours before your abortion. That means no water as well.
Other Options in Singapore
Abortion is not the only option of “getting rid” of a pregnancy. There are various hotlines, such as Beyond Social Services that you can call to talk about the other options. -
The doctor will surely report to the police, good luck and fly her to the usa for abortion.
pls don't leave her in the usa, or she will complaint to the embassy.
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Abortion trauma 'can last for years'
Women who have an abortion can suffer mental distress, anxiety, guilt and shame even five years afterwards and sometimes even longer, research has shown.
The study compared a group of 40 women who suffered a miscarriage with 80 women who chose to have an abortion, questioning them 10 days, six months, two years and five years after the event.
The team from Oslo University, found that women who had a miscarriage suffered more mental distress up to six months after losing their baby compared with those who had an abortion.
But women who had an abortion experienced more mental distress long afterwards - at two and five years - compared with the miscarriage group.
The researchers said that women who lost a baby through abortion should be given information about the psychological effects of losing a baby.
Pro-life campaigners said the research confirmed the emotional consequences of having an abortion could be massive.
Counselling needed
Women's health experts highlighted the importance of having proper counselling in place to deal with women having abortions.
The latest study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, used tests to measure the extent of intrusive thoughts, feelings and flashbacks about the end of pregnancy.
The researchers also assessed how much women avoided thinking, talking or feeling anything about the event.
The study found that, after 10 days, 47.5 per cent of women who had miscarried suffered from some degree of mental distress compared with 30 per cent of the abortion group.
The proportion of women who had a miscarriage suffering distress decreased during the study period, to just 2.6 per cent at two years and five years.
But levels of distress remained high in the abortion group. After two years, 18 per cent were still experiencing distress, with 20 per cent at five years.
High levels of anxiety
The researchers also said that women who had an abortion experienced high levels of anxiety, feelings of guilt, shame and relief.
They had to make an effort to avoid thinking about the event. Compared with the general population, these women also had more anxiety even five years after an abortion.
The researchers, led by Anne Nordal Broen, said they had predicted that an abortion would cause "a more protracted course of mental disturbance" compared with a miscarriage.
"The responses of women in the miscarriage group were similar to those expected after a traumatic and sad life event.
"However, the women in the induced abortion group had more atypical responses," the researchers said.
Anna Pringle, from pro-life charity Life, said: "As advocates for these women, we believe it is time that the Government acknowledges the fact that abortion carries with it psychological risks that can affect women long after the actual event."
Profound consequences
Richard Warren, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy were often profound.
"Most women who request termination of pregnancy do so after careful consideration and with appropriate counselling," he said.
"It has always been considered, and this study also shows, that the decision to terminate may bring with it long-standing feelings of anxiety and guilt.
"While most women are able to manage and cope with these feelings, when necessary, the need for ongoing support and counselling should be recognised and appropriate help given.
A spokeswoman for bpas Abortion Care - the leading provider of abortion services in the UK - said: "We don't see that many women for post-abortion counselling. We offer that service but women very rarely come back because they are able to cope with it by themselves."
A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association (fpa), said: "There is no evidence to suggest that abortion directly causes psychological trauma.
"Before an abortion, women should be given the opportunity to talk things through if they need to so they can be sure they are making the right decision for them."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-371392/Abortion-trauma-years.html
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Your gf is 15 and pregnant
I am 15 and i am a cat
hahahahahahahahaha! Go get a lawyer!
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Possible Physical Side Affects
The physical side effects after an abortion will vary from woman to woman. There are potential side effects and risks that you should be aware of.
It is important to talk to a health professional as well as the doctor who will perform your abortion about possible side effects.
Your period should return about 4 – 6 weeks after the abortion and you can get pregnant again soon after the abortion.
If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, it is important to take them as directed in order to help prevent infection.
Anticipated physical side effects following an abortion:
The following is a list of side effects that are frequently experienced after an abortion. It is possible to experience these side effects for as long as 2 to 4 weeks following the procedure.
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Spotting and Bleeding
Potential, more serious complications following an abortion.
Although serious complications occur in fewer than 1 out of 100 first trimester abortions and approximately 1 out of every 50 late term abortions, it is important to be aware of the following risks:
- Heavy or persistent bleeding
- Infection or sepsis
- Damage to the cervix
- Scarring of the uterine lining
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to other organs
- Death
It is important to understand that these risks are rare and that some of these risks are associated with child birth. What matters is that you are aware that these risks exist as you strive to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
Abortion Physical Side Effects: Call Your Doctor
If you have had an abortion, call your doctor and seek medical attention if your side effects become severe or if you experience any of the following:
- Severe abdominal and back pain that prohibits you from standing up
- Bleeding that is heavier than a normal menstrual period
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Fever above 100.4 F
- Continuing symptoms of pregnancy
- http://americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/possiblesideeffects.html
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Underage Sex & Statutory Rape
What is the legal age to have sex?
It is illegal to have sex with a person under the age of 16 with or without the minor’s consent. Sex with a person below 16 is called “Statutory Penetration of a Minor Under 16″, S376A, Penal Code.
If the minor is a girl below 14, the offence is called statutory rape.
What constitutes statutory rape?
A girl under 14 years of age is deemed not to be able to consent to sex. Thus, the sexual penetration of a person under 14 years old is deemed to be rape or unlawful sexual penetration, liable to imprisonment for a term up to 20 years plus fine or caning.
Is it an offence to have sex with a minor under 16 years old?
Yes, the penetration of a penis into the vagina, mouth or anus of a minor under 16 years old regardless of whether she consents to the act is an offence, liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years and / or fine. (Penal Code S377).
What if both parties are below 14 years of age?
Technically, this still constitutes the offence of statutory rape. However, the police, exercising its discretion and taking into account the age of the parties, may not initiate any charges.
What if both parties are 15 years of age?
Technically, this still constitutes the offence of Statutory Penetration of a Minor under S376A, Penal Code. However, the police, exercising its discretion and taking into account the age of the parties, may not initiate any charges.
What if the girl initiated the sex?
If the girl who is under 16 caused the boy to have sex with her, she may be the guilty party under the offence of Statutory Penetration of a Minor under S376A, Penal Code.
Can a 15 year old boy be a victim of rape?
No, a boy cannot be a victim of rape as rape is narrowly defined under S375, Penal Code as the penile penetration of a vagina. However, he may be the victim of the offence under S376A, Penal Code – the Sexual Penetration of Minor under 16. -
What is the legal age for sex in Singapore?
What are some common sexual offences in Singapore?
According to Section 376A of the Penal Code, sexual penetration of a minor under 16 is an offence, even if consent was provided by the minor. The law protects both male and female minors. According to the definitions of the aforementioned section, sex is constituted by sexual penetration, which can include vaginal, oral or anal sex.
In addition, commercial sex with minors under 18 is also a punishable offence according to Section 376B of the Penal Code. Furthermore, a citizen or PR of Singapore who engages in commercial sex with a minor under 18, in a location outside of Singapore, will still be liable under Section 376C.
With regards to the common defence of “I did not know she was below 16!”, Section 377D states clearly that:
If the offender is above the age of 21, he cannot claim that he mistakenly believed the minor was not underage as a defence.
If the offender is below the age of 21, he may claim that he mistakenly believed the minor was not underage as a defence, but only if the minor was of the opposite sex, and if the offender has not previously committed any similar sexual offences before.
In Singapore, according to Section 375, rape is committed when a man has sexual intercourse with a woman, against her will, without her consent, or if her consent was illegally obtained. Sex is also rape when the victim is a girl under the age of 14.
Molest is prosecuted as the outrage of modesty in Singapore when it involves criminal force, according to Section 354.
Incest, sex with animals or corpses, child prostitution, and child pornography are also punishable offences in Singapore. More information can be found in the Penal Code. Homosexual intercourse is prohibited under Section 377A of the Penal Code.
The quantum of punishment for each respective sexual offence, such as the length of imprisonment or sum of fine, can also be found in the Penal Code itself.
The above is only a summary of some of the offences related to sexual conduct in Singapore. It does not mean that sexual acts not cited here are necessarily legal. -
Jesus, what have I done?’: rock star Steve Tyler’s traumatic encounter with girlfriend's abortion
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The age of consent in Singapore is 16 for all opposite-sex activity and only female same-sex sexual activity:
Section 140: (1) Any person who – (...) (i) has carnal connection with any girl below the age of 16 years except by way of marriage (...) – shall be guilty of an offence.[63]
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fucking hell.
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i sure go jail. fucking cannot go.
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Woman had 3 abortions since she was undergrad
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2013
The New Paper
By Maureen KohSINGAPORE - She often wakes up in cold sweat, haunted by the nightmares of crying babies reaching out to her.
"I blame no one but myself," says the guilt-ridden financial consultant, who has had three abortions.
In an interview last week with The New Paper on Sunday, Ms Mary Tan, 30, recounts how she regretted her decisions.
Responding to Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Gerald Giam's question on the number of abortions in Parliament last week, the Ministry of Health (MOH) used abortion statistics for the period between 2003 and 2011.
The statistics show that more than half of the women who have abortions in Singapore are below 29 years old. And one in three women who underwent abortions has had previous abortions.
Ms Tan is one of these women. Her first abortion was about 10 years ago, when she was an undergraduate. She was dating a sales executive, but was also seeing a senior from her university.
When she found out she was pregnant, she was in a fix.
Ms Tan recounts: "I was not prepared to get married anyway, plus I didn't know who the father was. I was at a loss. "I had my studies to focus on. I wasn't sure what would happen if I was forced to quit uni studies. I agonised over it for several days and could only share it with a close friend."
Her friend's immediate response was: Get an abortion. It's no big deal.
Time was also running out and Ms Tan was worried that the longer she delayed taking her decision, the slimmer the chance of aborting. It would also be risky.
Accompanied by her friend, she eventually went to a gynaecologist's clinic.
"It was a proper one, unlike what you see on TV, in dramas and shows. Nothing dodgy about it."
But before the abortion, she had to go through a counselling session with the doctor.
She was also shown a video which detailed the procedure and warned of its risk. This is part of the process mandated by MOH.
Ms Tan says: "I think it was a way of trying to ensure that we knew what we were getting into, and that we wouldn't regret it. "After all, it was a life that we are getting rid of."
The 10-minute video changed her mind - albeit for four days, which included the 48-hour cooling period.
"I changed my mind and decided to go home. I kept thinking about it and wondered if there was another way out," she says.
"Look, it wasn't a decision I made on the spur of the moment. I had considered all the options, weighed the pros and cons. "Between that niggling feeling (of guilt) and my future, I finally picked what I felt was more important - my future."
She pauses for several seconds, then adds softly: "Yes, when you are young, your priorities are different." It was a painless procedure that lasted less than two hours.
"But I didn't know there were other things that I should have taken care of. For example, I found out only much later (from friends) that an abortion is more physically exhausting than giving birth.
"I didn't take care of my health."
She also didn't abstain from sex. She says: "I didn't tell my then-boyfriend about what I'd done."
Six months later, she found out she was pregnant again. That was a blow.
"I thought it was really so ridiculous. There are so many women out there who want a baby so badly but cannot conceive, and it was so easy for me."
This time, Ms Tan insisted, she "thought over it more intently".
And because she was certain it was her boyfriend's, she told him about it too.
"What I didn't expect was he'd be so excited. He immediately proposed and said we could get married right away. "I was speechless. And fearful."
She adds: "He was really happy, but I was not. And I struggled over how I should let him know I wasn't ready to settle down." What followed was several days of chats, cajoling, negotiations and then, arguments.
She was in a dilemma.
"On one hand, I was pleased he wanted to assume responsibility, but I felt he didn't think of me," says Ms Tan.
"I was a student, while he was working. He didn't have any idea of the kind of sacrifices I'd have to make, which included having to cope with what others would say or think of me.
"Not to forget my parents would kill me if they found out."
She adds: "He even told me if I didn't want the baby, I could just have it and then give it up to him. He was that adamant," recalls Ms Tan.
It was during one of their more heated debates over whether she should speak to a counsellor that she blurted out: "What's the difference? It's not like this will be my first abortion."
The revelation came as a blow to her boyfriend and he just walked off without a word. For the next three days, he didn't respond to her calls.
Unaware that her boyfriend needed the time to cool down, she thought he was avoiding her. Angry, she made an appointment with another gynaecologist.
It was also then that she was told the pregnancy didn't seem healthy and she was actually advised to consider an abortion.
"Frankly, I don't know if things could have turned out differently had it not been for that condition... maybe yes, maybe not. Who knows?" she says, shrugging her shoulders.
By the time Ms Tan's ex-boyfriend, who wants to be known only as Kevin, contacted her a week later, it was too late.
What angered him, he tells The New Paper on Sunday in a phone interview, wasn't that she had cheated on him, but that she made her decisions without consulting him.
"Not once, but twice! She took away a life, one that could have been the product of our love without my permission."
He says he has forgiven Ms Tan "after so many years" even though he still thinks about how life for them could have been. Kevin adds: "Until today, when I see babies or little children, I'd wonder what it'd be like if we had our baby.
"The general perception is that abortion is very female-oriented, but men, like myself, do have to live with the pain or even, guilt."
Afraid of losing a promotion
Ms Tan says she is aware of Kevin's feelings.
"But it wasn't like I didn't feel guilty or sad. I think I merely suppressed those feelings and refused to give it much thought."
Until three years ago, when Ms Tan found out she was pregnant again. Again, she wasn't ready.
"I had just been told I was being considered for a promotion at the bank and I felt a pregnancy then would have impacted my career path in the wrong way. I just wasn't prepared to lose (the promotion)," she says.
And to ensure she was not making another wrong move, she shared the news of her pregnancy with her boyfriend.
Ms Tan laughs derisively, and then says: "I was a coward. I wanted him to be the one (to decide) so I didn't have to live with another burden of guilt. Deep in my heart, I knew he'd say give it up because he's always made it clear he doesn't like kids." The recurring nightmares came six months after that abortion.
"I'd dream of crying babies, asking me 'mummy, why did you kill me?', or that of a baby with outstretched arms asking to be carried. It was terrible," she says with a shudder.
"It was also then that all my guilty feelings surfaced and I nearly broke down."
After sinking into depression for several weeks, she finally confided in an aunt, who promptly advised to seek help - in a religious ritual that will lead the infant spirits to rest and give them a chance for reincarnation.
Says Ms Tan: "After two rituals - one for the first two abortions and another for the third - I felt somewhat better and the nightmares have recurred less often."
When asked if she had considered giving them up for adoption then, she shakes her head firmly.
"No, definitely not. For one, I didn't want to go through the nine months of being in a pregnant state, people are bound to gossip about me behind my back.
"And I would not want to go on with my life, wondering about the babies I had given away, or for them to turn up one day, asking for a reunion. I didn't want to take my chance then."
But she would lead a different sex life if she could turn back the clock.
"I'd insist on my partner using some form of contraception, since I'm allergic to the Pill," she says. "And that's what I do now."
At least 48 hours to decide after counselling
Sixty-five clinics in Singapore are licensed to perform abortions, according to a search on the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website. These clinics are spread over the heartland and many are also in town. Dr Ben Choey, gynaecologist at private clinic SBCC Women's Clinic (Clementi), explains the details of a typical process for a woman seeking an abortion.
This is in accordance with MOH guidelines.
First, after the woman makes an appointment, she will go through a consultation, where a doctor reviews her medical history. The doctor talks to her about her previous pregnancies and her use of contraception, if any.
A scan is done, reviewing how many weeks pregnant she is. If she is between 14 and 24 weeks' pregnant, she is referred to a hospital.
The patient is counselled. The procedure and its possible risks are explained along with the different methods of contraception. These methods can include the morning-after pill, condoms, and the intrauterine contraceptive device.
She then views a 10-minute video titled Abortion - Consider With Care, which is produced by MOH. It reiterates the details of the abortion, warns of possible risks and explains the different methods of contraception.
She is also given two pamphlets to read: The Truth About Abortion, and Contraceptive Methods - Which One Is Best For Me. The woman is given a minimum of 48 hours to think it over and make her decision.
Dr Choey says that in his experience, most patients come back a week later.
If a woman decides on an abortion, she undergoes the procedure after signing a consent form.
Dr Choey says the procedure usually takes 90 minutes.
Two weeks later, the woman returns to the clinic for post-abortion counselling, where she is again advised on different methods of contraception.
The typical cost for an abortion at his clinic is between $900 and $1,000, says Dr Choey.
A quick check with some government hospitals reveal that abortion costs range from $500 to $750 for Singaporeans who get referrals from polyclinics.
Get The New Paper for more stories. -
Women who undergo many abortions unaware or indifferent
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2013
The New Paper
By Karen GweeSINGAPORE - One in three women in Singapore who underwent abortions from 2003 to 2011, have had previous abortions.
This is according to statistics from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Of the 11,940 abortions in 2011, 3,904 were done on women who had undergone one or more abortions earlier. There were 382 women who underwent abortions for the fourth time or more.
This scenario was reflected in the statistics for the other years as well.
Experts say that many women who have had multiple abortions are likely to be ignorant of contraception.
"Some women have misconceptions that certain sexual practices will prevent pregnancy, such as having unprotected sex during a certain time of a woman's menstrual cycle," says Dr Tan Poh Kok, gynaecologist and obstetrician at PK Women's Specialist Clinic, who has 15 years experience in the field.
He adds: "There is sex education in schools, but I think understanding of sex has not improved."
Counsellor Jennifer Chee from pregnancy assistance and counselling centre aLife, spoke of how she once counselled a woman in her 20s who had undergone five abortions: "She was ignorant of contraception, and treated abortion as something 'easy' because she was not aware of the possible effects abortion could have on her body."
Dr Ben Choey, gynaecologist at SBCC Women's Clinic (Clementi) however had more cutting words. He noted that as these women would have had to undergo counselling prior to abortions, they would have at least a rudimentary understanding of contraception.
In his view, some have a "couldn't care less" attitude towards contraception or choose not to use contraception because of the possible side effects.
Women have abortions for a variety of reasons explained Ms Karen Vincent, manager of Pregnancy Crisis Service which supports people who have unwanted pregnancies.
Among them, a sense that they are not financially able to keep the baby or that they need to further their careers and studies before having a child. Their boyfriends may also have abandoned them or there may be a perceived lack of support from the family.
Ms Chee of aLife notes that many women think that abortion is the only option open to them.
Doctors warn against multiple abortions, noting that there are real physical and psychological effects.
Dr Christopher Chong, obstetrician, gynaecologist and urogynaecologist at Gleneagles Hospital, explains that repeated abortions can lead to infections of the reproductive organs, and can cause infertility.
Future pregnancies may also be at risk, Dr Chong says: "(Multiple abortions) can also cause the cervix to be damaged and lax, leading to miscarriages and prematurity.
"The more abortions, the womb is more likely to rupture during the abortion process and if one goes into labour."
Besides physical effects, women may also suffer psychologically.
Clinical psychologist Dr Carol Balhetchet adds that women who undergo abortions more than once face an "accumulation of guilt".
She says: "One abortion is emotionally traumatic, as much as the person is prepared. Imagine that multiplied by so many times."
"Some women have misconceptions that certain sexual practices will prevent pregnancy, such as having unprotected sex during a certain time of a woman's menstrual cycle,"
At least one change seems to be in the offing. Currently, pre-abortion counselling, which was introduced in 1987, is mandatory only for Singapore citizens or permanent residents who have passed the Primary School Leaving Examination, have at least some secondary education, and have fewer than three children.
Responding to Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Gerald Giam's query on why women who were less educated were excluded, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong indicated that changes were on the way.
"Some of the criteria are no longer relevant and should be reviewed", he said in his reply, revealing that MOH began a review in early March.
Most experts TNPS contacted agree that the criteria should be reviewed.
HELPLINES
â– Babes helpline (for pregnant teens): 8111-3535
â– Pregnancy Crisis Service (for all ages): 6339-9770
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Discouraging abortion 'should not be solution'
Friday, Mar 15, 2013
My PaperSINGAPORE - Discouraging abortion and encouraging couples to adopt should not be seen as the solution to Singapore's fertility challenge, said Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing yesterday.
He said it is "a very difficult and tricky topic", and social-service agencies that provide abortion counselling have told him that it is tough getting a woman to consider going through a pregnancy only to later give the child away.
He was responding to calls from at least four Members of Parliament (MPs) who urge the Government to look into helping unwed women who are pregnant.
Currently, there are an average of 12,000 abortions a year - half of them from married women. There are 400 adoptions a year. "Even if we are able to save only 10 per cent of these abortion cases, that would mean 1,200 more babies in our midst," said Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio GRC).
Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) said: "I strongly believe that, if adoption is publicised as a comforting, loving, nurturing and voluntary alternative, there will be a reduced number of abortions in Singapore."
Mr Chan said there are mea- sures to counsel women on the risks and implications of an abor- tion, and written consent must be given after a cooling-off period. The ministry will help women make informed choices, but "the decision to carry a baby to term or abort (it) is ultimately a deeply personal one".
However, unwed single parents will soon stand to benefit. Childcare and infant-care leave will be extended to this group from May 1.
This means that, like other parents, they will get six days of childcare leave annually if they have children below the age of seven, and two days if they have kids aged between seven and 12.
They will also enjoy six days of unpaid infant-care leave a year if they have a child below the age of two.
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After abortion, lingering guilt
Saturday, Mar 30, 2013
The Straits Times
By Melissa LinSINGAPORE - Mrs Jennifer Heng had her first abortion at 17 and her second at 19. She was a student and just not prepared to be a mother.
Neither was she prepared for the guilt that would follow her for years after.
News reports on abandoned babies would trigger remorse. Even colleagues joking about labour pain brought back memories. No one knew about the abortions except for her boyfriends.
Then in 2001, she chanced upon a book by Rachel's Vineyard, a non-profit organisation based in the United States which helps people suffering the emotional trauma of abortion.
"It taught me how to move on," said Mrs Heng, now 37, and a mother of one as well as a pastor at Good Gifts City Church.
She has also written a book, Walking Out Of Secret Shame, about her past to help others.
It was in 2011, when she was writing the book, that she met Mrs Rose Boon, a pregnancy crisis counsellor of 20 years.
Mrs Boon had started a local version of Rachel's Vineyard in 2010 after realising there was no similar support group in Singapore.
Together, the two women are working to expand the reach of Rachel's Vineyard Singapore, the only known group here which helps both women and men come to terms with going through abortions.
"If you don't get healing, you can spiral to low self-esteem, hatred, guilt and shame," said Mrs Heng.
Around 40 people have attended the nine retreats held so far.
Mr David Ong, an MP for Jurong GRC, last month proposed in Parliament that a way to boost the birth rate would be to reduce the number of abortions.
But he also told The Straits Times over the phone that post-abortion care is an area worth exploring.
"We should make sure that they (people who have been through abortions) are supported emotionally and mentally," he said. "The challenge is, how do we get people to come forward?"
Pre-abortion counselling is compulsory for Singaporeans and permanent residents with at least secondary school education and fewer than three children. The termination can be carried out only 48 hours afterwards.
Patients also undergo post-abortion counselling on the day of the procedure.
But the impact of pre-abortion counselling on a patient's decision is "minor at best", said Dr Kenneth Wong of the private Obgyn Centre.
In a Straits Times report last year, doctors said that only between 5 and 20 per cent of patients change their minds about an abortion after counselling.
Dr Wong said most patients have made up their minds before going for counselling.
One in three abortions carried out in 2011 was also by women who have had previous terminations.
"Once you do the first one, the second one feels simpler," said Mrs Heng, adding that she knew of women who had been through six or eight abortions.
"Abortion becomes a form of contraception."
Abortions have been legal here since 1970, and can be performed on pregnancies of under 24 weeks.
Though the number has held steady at about 12,000 per year for the last decade, it has fallen by about a quarter among Singaporeans but increased among permanent residents and foreigners.
Experts attribute the drop among Singaporeans to better awareness and the use of contraception.
But for those who go through abortions, some hold on to their guilt for years, Mrs Boon said.
She gave the example of a woman in her 60s who had undergone two abortions more than 40 years ago, but still approached the group for help.
"It is not uncommon for one to experience feelings of guilt and remorse, and to wonder 'what if'. This can take years," said Dr Helen Chen, head of the psychological medicine department at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
Mrs Boon observed that men too suffered from the emotional fallout, but had no platform to voice their feelings.
She and Mrs Heng hope for more discussion in the media about abortion and its effects.
"In Singapore, it's not something anyone talks about," said Mrs Heng, whose book was published last year and is available for $12.
"On the other hand, if you Google 'abortion in Singapore', a whole list of abortion clinics shows up. A whole list of ways, but not help."
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ok, ok, we know, we know.
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Go Batam or Malaysia to do the abortion.....
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Originally posted by Happybananami:
i sure go jail. fucking cannot go.
50-50 chance you will go jail,but lucky no 'rotan' for you.
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either you go jail (above 18)
or boys home (under 18)
the best solution to it is no solution.
do what you want now , enjoy live with no regrets now.
at least you enjoyed a tight one.
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Originally posted by veron soh:
Go Batam or Malaysia to do the abortion.....
tell her to take the abortion pills now! How many weeks is the baby? If less than 12 weeks, go and get an abortion pilll.
http://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/702/how-to-do-an-abortion-with-pills-misoprostol-cytotec
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Abortion is illegal in Malaysia and Indonesia with exception for maternal life, health, and/or mental health. Singapore has the most liberal abortion laws in SEA.