THE DOCTOR AND THE UNPLANNED PREGNANCY – UNPLANNED OR UNWANTED?
These terms are often used interchangeably. Unplanned may also mean unwanted. For some women, an unplanned pregnancy may be a very unwelcome intrusion into her life. For others, unplanned pregnancies may not necessarily be unwanted. It is estimated that up to one third of pregnancies may be unplanned (Fleissig, 1991). Some women may go on to term because of moral objections to abortion, but some of these unplanned pregnancies do become very much wanted. Efficient contraception is meant to lead to ‘family planning’ but we all know plenty of women who look lovingly at their bulging abdomen and say, ‘It wasn’t planned’ Efficient contraception means being able to take responsibility for deciding when to have a baby. To some this means waiting for the right situation in terms of marriage, accommodation, money and career. It also means being able to say to the world that they are now mature enough to become a parent and responsible enough to care for another individual. Some women can allow themselves to have a baby in less than ideal circumstances only by allowing it to be unplanned.
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