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Abortion in the US

Women share experiences of undergoing and performing abortions.

Abortion is a deeply divisive issue in the United States that spans the law, religion and women鈥檚 rights. It has been a legal right for almost 50 years. Now, the Supreme Court 鈥 the top court in the country 鈥 is expected to overturn the law and rule that abortions can banned.

It鈥檚 put abortion back towards the top of the political debate and we reflect some of the conversations taking place among those affected.

Two women share their experiences and personal reasons for terminating their pregnancies, including one that resulted from sexual assault.

鈥淚 felt like the deepest despair ever in my life,鈥 said Samantha. 鈥淪eeing that positive pregnancy test, I remember balling up the shower curtain because I was in the bathroom screaming, and biting into the shower curtain so that no one could hear.鈥

Hosts Ben James and Karnie Sharp also introduce a conversation between two doctors, both women, who work at clinics that provide abortions. They discuss how they feel about performing abortions, including when one of them was pregnant with her own child; plus how they deal with any moral judgement that may surround their actions. The programme also includes messages from women who welcome a potential abortion ban.

Please be aware, the conversations discuss matters that some may find distressing.

(Photo: Pro-choice and anti-abortion demonstrators confront during a protest outside the US Supreme Court. Credit: Reuters/Michael A McCoy)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Sun 15 May 2022 00:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 14 May 2022 08:06GMT
  • Sat 14 May 2022 14:06GMT
  • Sat 14 May 2022 23:06GMT
  • Sun 15 May 2022 00:06GMT