A woman whose doctor urged her to have an abortion refused and now has a grown son and two grandchildren:
“Just before my marriage in 1936, I discovered that I had become pregnant and it was an awful shock as my future husband’s family were very strict and uncompromising people. However, I bluffed the whole thing through and got married, but eventually when four months pregnant, I had to go to the doctor. He was very worried that I had left the visit so long owing to trouble in my heart he was sure I could not have the baby. Eventually my mother took me to a Harley Street specialist and after examination he advised a medical abortion as soon as possible. Somehow although only 22 years of age, the mere idea of abortion seemed like murder and I absolutely refused to have it done. My mother begged me and so did the specialist, but somehow I just couldn’t. At the birth things were very difficult and only expertise on the part of the doctors saved us both and I had to stay in bed for months. Eventually the baby – a son – great up [sic] a fine, healthy man, and had two sons of his own. When I see my healthy son and his almost grown-up sons I am so thankful that somebody put so strongly the idea into my mind that abortion was wrong.”
Mary Kenny Abortion: The Whole Story (London: Quartet Books, 1986) 206
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