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Auckland: Difference between revisions
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→Abortion
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In New Zealand, abortion is only permitted in certain circumstances, as outlined by the Crimes Act 1961. During the first twenty weeks of gestation, an abortion can be legally performed if the woman's life is seriously endangered by the pregnancy, if a woman's physical or mental health is seriously endangered by the pregnancy, if the woman can be classified as possessing "mental sub normality," if the pregnancy is due to incest of any sort, or if there is risk of fetal impairment. Factors that are not grounds for abortion but may be taken into consideration are sexual violation (rape) or extremes of age (either very young or very old for the pregnancy). After 20 weeks of gestation, an abortion can only be performed if the pregnancy threatens the woman's life or if the pregnancy brings risk of permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the mothers. After twenty weeks of gestation, the risk of fetal abnormality in itself is not grounds for abortion. | |||
For an abortion to be legally performed, it must be approved by two doctors, which are called "certifying consultants" in New Zealand. One of these doctors must be a gynecologist or obstetrician. Counseling is not mandatory (just optional). After 12 weeks of gestation, the abortion must be performed in a "licensed institution," which generally means a hospital. It's important to know that doctors are legally allowed to conscientiously object to performing or assisting in an abortion. They can also refuse to refer you for assessment.<ref>[http://www.familyplanning.org.nz/advice/abortion/the-law-around-abortion The Law Around Abortion]</ref> | |||
While there is no statutory definition of a fetus or embryo as "an unborn child" in New Zealand, abortion law is notably more conservative than other major Commonwealth countries, such as Australia or Canada. If a NZ woman wishes to obtain an abortion, she may travel to Australia, where abortion policy is more lax. | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
Some women find doctors that declare them possessing "mental sub normality," thereby enabling them to obtain a legal abortion in NZ. However, if you are pregnant and wish to obtain an abortion, your best option is probably to seek an abortion outside New Zealand. While there is an underground illegal abortion industry, it's not safe and not recommended. Rather, you may consider traveling to [[Australia]], where you can legally obtain an abortion upon request.. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
If you legally obtain an abortion in an NZ hospital and you are covered by NZ health care, the abortion will be free. If you are pregnant and considering getting an abortion outside NZ, you will need to consider the following costs: transportation to the country where you will be obtaining an abortion, hotel or accommodation costs in that country, cost of the abortion in the country and the total amount of days you may need to be in the country both before and after the abortion. | |||
==Advocacy & Counseling== | ==Advocacy & Counseling== | ||