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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. | 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. | ||
The abortion pill is only permitted during the first 9 weeks of pregnancy. If you're 9-14 weeks of pregnant, you will need to have a surgical abortion. This is considered a minor procedure and you'll usually be awake. If you're 14-19 weeks pregnant, you can have a surgical abortion under general anesthesia (asleep). If you are more than 14 weeks pregnant and there is a fetal abnormality, doctors can do an early induction of labor. If you're 20-24 weeks pregnant, you probably need to travel to Australia to receive an abortion, unless you fit under the criteria for up to 20 weeks.<ref>[http://www.abortion.gen.nz/abortion-procedures Abortion Procedures]</ref> | |||
For an abortion to be legally performed, the pregnant woman needs a referral from her doctor. She also needs blood tests and ultrasounds. Furthermore, the abortion 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> | For an abortion to be legally performed, the pregnant woman needs a referral from her doctor. She also needs blood tests and ultrasounds. Furthermore, the abortion 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. | 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=== | ||