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In Response To The Controversial Heartbeat Act In Texas, Uma Thurman Shares Her Abortion Story From Three Decades Ago
Debates on abortions and talks about the implemented Texas anti-abortion law is taking an even further toll. On September 21st, the Washington Post released a piece written by actress Uma Thurman where she shared her story of having to undergo an abortion in her late teens. She revealed the situation that took place years ago, and in this way, expressing her support for women who had to go through the same difficulties. Her example showed that women who choose to have an abortion know that they have to make a hard and difficult decision that has an impact on their life. Now, the actress is sure that she did the right thing having in mind she became a successful person and a mother to three children she’s very proud of.
More Info: Twitter | Instagram | Washington Post
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“Uma Thurman is an actress and mother” stated the article posted by the Washington Post where the actress shared her abortion story with the public
Image credits: Georges Biard
The woman started her piece by telling that she’s been following the news on Texas’ anti-abortion law and seeing what’s happening, so she decided to share her experience. She also admitted at first, people might not care what an actress has to tell about this situation, but what she has to say is not related to her career achievements. It’s a very personal approach with the intention to help those who are in a vulnerable position at this moment.
Image credits: PostOpinions
Image credits: Uma Thurman
Thurman started her acting career at the age of 15. She not only threw herself into an industry where she often was surrounded by older people, but for this, she also left her hometown and went to Europe. She pictured the start of her career as being full of struggles and unstable, but most people are known to go through a rocky start at the beginning of their careers. Thurman then revealed that at that time, she got pregnant by an older man and was thinking hard about the options that she had.
Image credits: Uma Thurman
Young Thurman contacted her parents who at that time were struggling with other problems: her mom was very ill and in the hospital and in these circumstances, the actress had the talk with her parents about what happened and what she should do now. The woman remembers thinking about the possibility to keep the baby, but her parents stressed the multiple struggles she would have to go through as the relationship with the man whose baby it was wasn’t serious and she had a hard time finding stability in her life.
The award-winning actress revealed an important incident in her life that happened years ago when she had to have an abortion
Image credits: Georges Biard
Image credits: Uma Thurman
Once the idea of having an abortion was set, Thurman also shared her experience of going to the doctor for the procedure. She felt heartbroken and had to go through terrible pain, but was ready to go through all of this because of all the shame she felt. The woman continued with her story in which she also mentioned a doctor who was understanding towards her making her feel better: “ In his eyes, I was a person, I was a daughter, I was still a girl.”
Image credits: Uma Thurman
Today, when the actress reflects on this situation and everything that happened in the past, she is glad that she made this decision. Today, she is a well-known actress, producer, writer, model, and mother of three kids. In her message, she supports and encourages women to support their right to their bodies and the family they choose to have.
Image credits: Uma Thurman
According to Guttmacher Institute, the number of abortions declined with time, but the reason for this is not because of the laws imposed by a state. This might have happened due to closed abortion clinics, making women go through “self-managed abortion”. A lot has to do with sexual education, views, and stereotypes about abortion, the use of contraceptive products, and infertility.
People online expressed their support for Uma Thurman stressing that there are many more women who’ve had to go through the same horrific experience
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Rosie Hamilton 3 years ago
To all those who are anti-abortion and have never been in her situation or even worse, and never will, just mind your own business and please stop judging. Children are precious so they should at least be wanted.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
As my very Catholic mom will still say, if these people want there to be no abortion, then they should adopt every single would-be-aborted child. And she usually includes the Pope in that statement. (Actually, she says, "The Pope isn't having the baby or raising it. He can shut up.")
Load More Replies...
Mad Dragon 3 years ago
I was 22 weeks into my pregnancy and was over the moon about it. I had miscarried six times prior to this. At my next ultrasound, we got the devastating news that my baby boy had a condition that meant if he even survived to birth, he would die in agony minutes later. We made the decision not to continue the pregnancy, but my doctor tried to use religion to shame me into going through with the pregnancy, birth, and watching our child die in absolute agony. An abortion is never an easy decision and should stay deeply personal instead of political.
iblowsheep 3 years ago (edited)
unborn fetuses have more rights in Texas than everyone else, as soon as it is born, it looses them.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Yep. The "guarantee of life" that anti-choice activists tout is good for the first nine months only. After that, screw you.
Load More Replies...
Mary Bank 3 years ago
There are SO many reasons to end a pregnancy. No one ever talks about the women that do it because the pregnancy is not viable which happens A LOT. Fetus without a brain, internal issues, even already passed but your body has not expelled it. It wasn't until I went through this that I realized so many women are forced to carry a pregnancy (learned in my support group) that is not going to result in a live birth because of all these messed up laws. Heart beat doesn't mean a viable 'baby'. Make abortion legal and safe. If you are Anti-choice, don't have one. period end of rant.
Louloubelle 3 years ago
I had a miscarriage at one point, and in discussing the reasons with my doctor, we determined that I had probably gotten pregnant quite late in the cycle, which results in an egg that is already deteriorating. No physical problems, nothing I did wrong. I was lucky enough that my body recognized this would not be viable and expelled it. We also talked about that sometimes that doesn't happen and the pregnancy continues, but that will never result in a baby that will live, much like what you've said. My heart goes out to you. And yes, as long as men are allowed to tell us what we can do with OUR bodies, this will continue. Should we just call it the Texas Taliban?
Load More Replies...
VersaceDreams 3 years ago
Why should a clump of cells have more rights that us, the people who've really had to fight for our rights?
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I've stayed off this one, but I'm sorry, I can't stay silent. If you think forcing women to have children is worse than abortion, then you haven't seen 1. unwatned children 2. illegal abortions and 3. the cost of shaming people who had valid reasons to have abortions (e.g., they're young, victims of sex assault, the fetus isn't viable, a test shows the child will have a terrible health issue all its life, etc.). Oh, and if you chat to the "pro-lifers", in MY experience, you'll find about 1/3 of them had abortions, some more than one, and that's how they deal with their guilt/shame, whch they shouldn't have in the first place. It is a MEDICAL decision. If you feel a need to "save babies", go volunteer to feed and teach the ones who are already out of the womb. Just IMO.
Chicago Dog Lover 3 years ago
The people who care so much about a fetus are often the ones who don't seem to care about actual people. They say " give a baby up for adoption." But given the number of children waiting to be adopted, many clearly are not adopting themselves. (Shout out to adoptive parents!)
KimB 3 years ago
Exactly! Adoption is always their go to argument but go ahead and try to adopt in the US you'll need about 7k for lawyers and fees...that's why there's so many children in the system because middle class families who want to adopt a child cannot afford it (just like that can't afford expensive in-vitro treatments for infertility like wealthy families can)
Load More Replies...
Troux 3 years ago
I read an anthropological article that argued a lot of these religious "moral" stances are actually based on pro-fertility positions from hundreds of years ago, i.e. more babies from Christians means more Christians to help Christianity thrive. These would be supported by heads of state who wanted their overall population to thrive against the every-threatening diseases, as well. Doesn't justify any of these attitudes, just food for thought - this may just be based on misdirected, archaic, unneeded population-building.
Kristal 3 years ago
Troux, I think that is also why so many people just have kids: population building. When our species was new and competing with others, yeah, makes sense to want to grow the numbers, but we don't need the population growth like we did before. There is no reason to have a child unless a person truly wants to be a [good] parent.
Load More Replies...
Kendra Miller 3 years ago
If abortion is so morally wrong, why isn't vasectomy part of the conversation? Vasectomy is an easily reversed procedure that 100% prevents pregnancy. To prevent any possible issues sperm could be frozen. With today's freezing method, eggs have a shelf life of 50+ years. If vasectomy was required for teen boys, there would be no teens destroying their lives because of a mistake. There would be no children born from rape. When a couple has decided that they emotionally, physically and financially ready to have children, they can go to the hospital and get it reversed. It would mean that any viable fetus, will be born, because it has a family that desperately wants it. To me this is the most logical and empathetic way, but if a male pro-life heard me they would be like "it's my body you have no right" or "you want to put young boys under the knife", yes, in an entirely safe procedure compared to the dangerous risks, such as death, a girl faces when she gets pregnant.
Kendra Miller 3 years ago
Since vasectomy isn't part of the conversation we know this isn't about real solutions to making children's lives better, but an opportunity to further control women through their reproduction.
Load More Replies...
Pacifico Fernandez 3 years ago
1. Uma Turman = legend. 2. Everyone here in the comments is giving such logical and reasonable arguments. I wonder why is this thing happening to the Texans?
Anna McHugh 3 years ago
I'm sorry for Uma Thurman that she felt so dreadfully about her abortion, and that it hurt. I've had an abortion - it didn't hurt and I definitely didn't feel dreadful about it. My contraception failed; I've had a rough time in life, and we knew that we didn't want a baby. The end. Didn't think twice about having the abortion; never think about it until I see what women-hating hick places are doing. It's just a procedure; it's just cells; it's not murder; it's not a person. It's you doing what you have to do to get through a life that was thrust on you. At least you have the decency not to thrust it on someone else.
Viviane 3 years ago
People who talk about the "Right to Life" are often criticized for not caring about anyone after they're born. Perhaps they feel that every embryo should experience life, regardless of whether that life is with a loving family or with abusive people. In the context of a child not wanted by anyone, maybe the "Right to Life" can be viewed as more of an "Obligation to Life".
Pascal Schläpfer 3 years ago
In the US, two groups get into their hair about this issue. On both sides, sadly, extreme ppl rule the discussions. Both of them ignore each other. Nothing will change.
stacyh 3 years ago
There is nothing extreme about being pro choice. Recognizing a woman’s right to bodily autonomy is always appropriate.
Load More Replies...
Niall Mac Iomera 3 years ago
So sad that many people will only care because it happened to someone famous
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
You do NOT have the right to go about infecting other people with a dangerous virus. You do NOT have the right to provide viruses with chances to mutate and become deadlier and/or more contagious. You do NOT have the right to put other people's health and lives in jeopardy just because you are a selfish crybaby.
Load More Replies...
stacyh 3 years ago
Oh do go f**k off. Abortions have been around for thousands of years in various forms. And nobody is killing babies you emotionally manipulative prick.
Load More Replies...
stacyh 3 years ago
Thank goodness no children are killed in abortions! Whew.
Load More Replies...
Rosie Hamilton 3 years ago
To all those who are anti-abortion and have never been in her situation or even worse, and never will, just mind your own business and please stop judging. Children are precious so they should at least be wanted.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
As my very Catholic mom will still say, if these people want there to be no abortion, then they should adopt every single would-be-aborted child. And she usually includes the Pope in that statement. (Actually, she says, "The Pope isn't having the baby or raising it. He can shut up.")
Load More Replies... Mad Dragon 3 years ago
I was 22 weeks into my pregnancy and was over the moon about it. I had miscarried six times prior to this. At my next ultrasound, we got the devastating news that my baby boy had a condition that meant if he even survived to birth, he would die in agony minutes later. We made the decision not to continue the pregnancy, but my doctor tried to use religion to shame me into going through with the pregnancy, birth, and watching our child die in absolute agony. An abortion is never an easy decision and should stay deeply personal instead of political.
iblowsheep 3 years ago (edited)
unborn fetuses have more rights in Texas than everyone else, as soon as it is born, it looses them.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Yep. The "guarantee of life" that anti-choice activists tout is good for the first nine months only. After that, screw you.
Load More Replies... Mary Bank 3 years ago
There are SO many reasons to end a pregnancy. No one ever talks about the women that do it because the pregnancy is not viable which happens A LOT. Fetus without a brain, internal issues, even already passed but your body has not expelled it. It wasn't until I went through this that I realized so many women are forced to carry a pregnancy (learned in my support group) that is not going to result in a live birth because of all these messed up laws. Heart beat doesn't mean a viable 'baby'. Make abortion legal and safe. If you are Anti-choice, don't have one. period end of rant.
Louloubelle 3 years ago
I had a miscarriage at one point, and in discussing the reasons with my doctor, we determined that I had probably gotten pregnant quite late in the cycle, which results in an egg that is already deteriorating. No physical problems, nothing I did wrong. I was lucky enough that my body recognized this would not be viable and expelled it. We also talked about that sometimes that doesn't happen and the pregnancy continues, but that will never result in a baby that will live, much like what you've said. My heart goes out to you. And yes, as long as men are allowed to tell us what we can do with OUR bodies, this will continue. Should we just call it the Texas Taliban?
Load More Replies... VersaceDreams 3 years ago
Why should a clump of cells have more rights that us, the people who've really had to fight for our rights?
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I've stayed off this one, but I'm sorry, I can't stay silent. If you think forcing women to have children is worse than abortion, then you haven't seen 1. unwatned children 2. illegal abortions and 3. the cost of shaming people who had valid reasons to have abortions (e.g., they're young, victims of sex assault, the fetus isn't viable, a test shows the child will have a terrible health issue all its life, etc.). Oh, and if you chat to the "pro-lifers", in MY experience, you'll find about 1/3 of them had abortions, some more than one, and that's how they deal with their guilt/shame, whch they shouldn't have in the first place. It is a MEDICAL decision. If you feel a need to "save babies", go volunteer to feed and teach the ones who are already out of the womb. Just IMO.
Chicago Dog Lover 3 years ago
The people who care so much about a fetus are often the ones who don't seem to care about actual people. They say " give a baby up for adoption." But given the number of children waiting to be adopted, many clearly are not adopting themselves. (Shout out to adoptive parents!)
KimB 3 years ago
Exactly! Adoption is always their go to argument but go ahead and try to adopt in the US you'll need about 7k for lawyers and fees...that's why there's so many children in the system because middle class families who want to adopt a child cannot afford it (just like that can't afford expensive in-vitro treatments for infertility like wealthy families can)
Load More Replies... Troux 3 years ago
I read an anthropological article that argued a lot of these religious "moral" stances are actually based on pro-fertility positions from hundreds of years ago, i.e. more babies from Christians means more Christians to help Christianity thrive. These would be supported by heads of state who wanted their overall population to thrive against the every-threatening diseases, as well. Doesn't justify any of these attitudes, just food for thought - this may just be based on misdirected, archaic, unneeded population-building.
Kristal 3 years ago
Troux, I think that is also why so many people just have kids: population building. When our species was new and competing with others, yeah, makes sense to want to grow the numbers, but we don't need the population growth like we did before. There is no reason to have a child unless a person truly wants to be a [good] parent.
Load More Replies... Kendra Miller 3 years ago
If abortion is so morally wrong, why isn't vasectomy part of the conversation? Vasectomy is an easily reversed procedure that 100% prevents pregnancy. To prevent any possible issues sperm could be frozen. With today's freezing method, eggs have a shelf life of 50+ years. If vasectomy was required for teen boys, there would be no teens destroying their lives because of a mistake. There would be no children born from rape. When a couple has decided that they emotionally, physically and financially ready to have children, they can go to the hospital and get it reversed. It would mean that any viable fetus, will be born, because it has a family that desperately wants it. To me this is the most logical and empathetic way, but if a male pro-life heard me they would be like "it's my body you have no right" or "you want to put young boys under the knife", yes, in an entirely safe procedure compared to the dangerous risks, such as death, a girl faces when she gets pregnant.
Kendra Miller 3 years ago
Since vasectomy isn't part of the conversation we know this isn't about real solutions to making children's lives better, but an opportunity to further control women through their reproduction.
Load More Replies... Pacifico Fernandez 3 years ago
1. Uma Turman = legend. 2. Everyone here in the comments is giving such logical and reasonable arguments. I wonder why is this thing happening to the Texans?
Anna McHugh 3 years ago
I'm sorry for Uma Thurman that she felt so dreadfully about her abortion, and that it hurt. I've had an abortion - it didn't hurt and I definitely didn't feel dreadful about it. My contraception failed; I've had a rough time in life, and we knew that we didn't want a baby. The end. Didn't think twice about having the abortion; never think about it until I see what women-hating hick places are doing. It's just a procedure; it's just cells; it's not murder; it's not a person. It's you doing what you have to do to get through a life that was thrust on you. At least you have the decency not to thrust it on someone else.
Viviane 3 years ago
People who talk about the "Right to Life" are often criticized for not caring about anyone after they're born. Perhaps they feel that every embryo should experience life, regardless of whether that life is with a loving family or with abusive people. In the context of a child not wanted by anyone, maybe the "Right to Life" can be viewed as more of an "Obligation to Life".
Pascal Schläpfer 3 years ago
In the US, two groups get into their hair about this issue. On both sides, sadly, extreme ppl rule the discussions. Both of them ignore each other. Nothing will change.
stacyh 3 years ago
There is nothing extreme about being pro choice. Recognizing a woman’s right to bodily autonomy is always appropriate.
Load More Replies... Niall Mac Iomera 3 years ago
So sad that many people will only care because it happened to someone famous
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
You do NOT have the right to go about infecting other people with a dangerous virus. You do NOT have the right to provide viruses with chances to mutate and become deadlier and/or more contagious. You do NOT have the right to put other people's health and lives in jeopardy just because you are a selfish crybaby.
Load More Replies... stacyh 3 years ago
Oh do go f**k off. Abortions have been around for thousands of years in various forms. And nobody is killing babies you emotionally manipulative prick.
Load More Replies... stacyh 3 years ago
Thank goodness no children are killed in abortions! Whew.
Load More Replies...
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