As the abortion debate rages on in Parliament, a university graduate has added her voice to the controversial issue.

The 22-year-old university graduate, who terminated a two-month pregnancy while in her second year at a prominent university, told The Gleaner she now deeply regrets the decision. She also fears that the decision could ruin her ability to have children in the future.

"It was a hasty and foolish decision," said Charmaine, who requested that her surname not be published.

Like many other young women facing similar challenges, Charmaine contemplated how she would finance a child, where she would live and general questions about how general survival. Financial dependence on her single mother and a deteriorating relationship with her boyfriend made the decision for Charmaine that much easier.

The choice

Now in a stable job as a university tutor, Charmaine believes her hasty decision to abort her child should not have been determined by her financial status.

Self-pride also played a role.

"I didn't want to disappoint my mother or any of my family members," she told The Gleaner.

"I was the first of the family to attend a university, pregnancy would only get in the way," she added.

Sad days

With tears of regret and sadness, Charmaine recalled the days that followed after the procedure.

"I bled for days and was constantly in pain. All I did was lie in bed and cry," she recalled.

After going through with the procedure, her relationship crumbled. It has been almost two years since the abortion procedure and all communication between Charmaine and her ex has ended.

"He really wanted me to keep the baby, but at the time his words didn't matter. I told him it was my body, my decision," she added.

In hindsight, Charmaine wishes she had carried the child to full term.

"If I could change it, I would, but I can't. All I can do now is to advise women that no matter their circumstances, never to abort a child.

"It is better to have struggled than to live in regret," she said.

Abortion rights and wrongs

Do you agree that it is a woman's right to have an abortion? Or should moral arguments and health risks hold sway?

Email feedback to letters@gleanerjm.com or post responses to Abortion Debate, Editorial Department, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.