In episode 35, Cassidy sits down with Cassie who shares the unexpected twists and turns that led to her surgical abortion within the hospital. Cassie talks about the barriers to her accessing an abortion, how she was supported and the challenges she still faces thirteen months on. It was a pleasure to connect with Cassie, to hear her story and to seriously consider the challenges that people still face when trying to access abortion here in Australia. Thank you Cassie!
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
State by state abortion support organisations:
QLD - Children by Choice
NSW - Family Planning NSW
NT - Family Planning NT
VIC - 1800 My Options
SA - SHINE SA and Pregnancy Advisory Centre
TAS - Family Planning Tasmania or Women's Health Tasmania
If you'd like to get in contact with us, you can message us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or send us an email via australianabortionstories@gmail.com
Until next week, take care of yourselves and each other!
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
In episode 34, Cassidy sits down with Kari who shares her two procedural abortion stories. Kari reflects on how positive her abortions were and talks about her PhD research into abortion stigma. She shares the hurdles and challenges she came up against while completing her PhD including what led her to pause her research. Kari has completed work for Children by Choice (QLD) and contributes invaluable work in the field of abortion advocacy and research. Thank you for joining us on the podcast Kari and congratulations on submitting your PhD!
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
State by state abortion support organisations:
QLD - Children by Choice
NSW - Family Planning NSW
NT - Family Planning NT
VIC - 1800 My Options
SA - SHINE SA and Pregnancy Advisory Centre
TAS - Family Planning Tasmania or Women's Health Tasmania
If you'd like to get in contact with us, you can message us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or send us an email via australianabortionstories@gmail.com
Until next week, take care of yourselves and each other!
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
In episode 33, Cassidy sits down with Bess who shares her two abortion stories that took place ten years ago. Bess reflects on her experiences and shares valuable insights about abortion, how we think about it and how we respond to it. Thank you Bess!
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
State by state abortion support organisations:
QLD - Children by Choice
NSW - Family Planning NSW
NT - Family Planning NT
VIC - 1800 My Options
SA - SHINE SA and Pregnancy Advisory Centre
TAS - Family Planning Tasmania or Women's Health Tasmania
If you'd like to get in contact with us, you can DM us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or send us an email via australianabortionstories@gmail.com
Until next week, take care of yourselves and eachother!
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
On July 11, 2023, the TGA published a press release stating that restrictions on what healthcare providers could dispense abortion medication were lifted. This comes into effect on August 1, 2023. What does this mean? And also - what are abortion pills anyway?
Kels and Cass get together for a chat about the above topics, as well as review some common myths and misconceptions around early medication abortion.
DISCLAIMER: This conversation should not be considered medical advice or information. It is for educational and 'entertainment' purposes only. Please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner if you are considering abortion.
Links to relevant articles/research:
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
In episode 31, Cassidy sits down with Madison Griffiths, author of the newly released 'Tissue'.
Madison Griffiths is a writer, artist and producer based in Melbourne. She is the co-producer of Tender , an award-winning Broadwave podcast that follows what happens in the aftermath of abusive relationships. Her essays have been published widely in The Guardian, SBS, VICE, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings and more. In 2022, she won the Our Watch Award as administered by the Walkley Foundation for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women and Children. We have been eagerly awaiting the launch of this book for some time and are very excited to have it in our hands.
A big thank you to Madison for sharing with us on the podcast and congratulations on the release of such an incredible piece of writing.
You can find Madison on instagram - @madisonrgriffiths.
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
State by state abortion support organisations:
QLD - Children by Choice
NSW - Family Planning NSW
NT - Family Planning NT
VIC - 1800 My Options
SA - SHINE SA and Pregnancy Advisory Centre
TAS - Family Planning Tasmania or Women's Health Tasmania
If you'd like to get in contact with us, you can DM us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or send us an email via australianabortionstories@gmail.com
Until next week, take care of yourselves and eachother!
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
In episode 30, Cassidy sits down with Lisa who shares her experience of abortion and working as a GP offering medical abortion in Wollongong, NSW. There's excellent information in this episode and we're incredibly grateful that Lisa reached out to be on the podcast.
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
State by state abortion support organisations:
QLD - Children by Choice
NSW - Family Planning NSW
NT - Family Planning NT
VIC - 1800 My Options
SA - SHINE SA and Pregnancy Advisory Centre
TAS - Family Planning Tasmania or Women's Health Tasmania
If you'd like to get in contact with us, you can DM us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or send us an email via australianabortionstories@gmail.com
Until next week, take care of yourselves and eachother!
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
* This story does discuss themes of coercive control and abuse. If you or anyone you know are in need of help you can contact White Ribbon Australia on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander you can also contact 13 YARN on 13 92 76.
In episode 29, Cassidy sits down with Hannah who shares her experience of abortion five years ago. Hannah speaks about the psychological impact of her abortion and her experience of abortion not being a choice. It is a potent and powerful share, we're incredibly grateful that Hannah reached out to be on the podcast. You can read her article written for the guardian here - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/25/my-workplace-was-supportive-after-a-traumatic-abortion-this-should-be-normal
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
State by state abortion support organisations:
QLD - Children by Choice
NSW - Family Planning NSW
NT - Family Planning NT
VIC - 1800 My Options
SA - SHINE SA and Pregnancy Advisory Centre
TAS - Family Planning Tasmania or Women's Health Tasmania
If you'd like to get in contact with us, you can DM us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or send us an email via australianabortionstories@gmail.com
Until next week, take care of yourselves and eachother!
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
In this weeks episode, Karen sits down to chat with Cassidy about being a medical abortion provider in Victoria. Cass and Karen chat abortion statistics, access, abortion with a health provider lense. They also talk about how far we've got to go but how far we've come. This is an excellent episode for keeping up to date with your knowledge of abortion and to share with those in need of information about abortion access. Thank you Karen for sharing your knowledge and being so wonderful to chat to!
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
Lifeline is always available if you find yourself in crisis - 13 11 14.
State by state abortion support organisations:
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
In this weeks episode, Tara speaks with Kelsey about her medical abortion in NSW. It’s a long episode, but a good one, and Tara speaks at length about her integration process. Deep thanks to Tara for sharing your story!
Lifeline is always available if you find yourself in crisis - 13 11 14.
State by state abortion support organisations:
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
Astrid shares her medical abortion with us today, and covers how she navigated her abortion and reflections four years on. A very big thank you to Astrid for sharing your story with us!
To support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions. Leave us a review on iTunes or Spotify, share this episode with someone you think could benefit from hearing it, and stay tuned for another episode coming NEXT WEEK!
If you'd like to share your story with us, submit an expression of interest here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XCHLTY2 You can contact us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or email us australianabortionstories@gmail.com Lifeline is always available is you find yourself in a mental health crisis and need to have a chat 13 11 14. Ok - See ya next week! Take care of yourselves and each other.
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
State by state support organisations: QLD - Children by Choice
NSW - Family Planning NSW
NT - Family Planning NT
VIC - 1800 My Options
SA - SHINE SA and Pregnancy Advisory Centre
TAS - Family Planning Tasmania or Women's Health Tasmania
Join Sarah Ratcliffe, (almost) PhD and Kelsey, as we chat about her recently completed PhD in Abortion Stigma at The University of Sydney. We had a lot of fun, and Sarah is a WEALTH of knowledge about the topic of abortion stigma - something that both individuals and organisations can all benefit from learning more about. Thanks Sarah for chatting with me!
You can find Sarah via Google or via Instagram - @abortionstigmaresearch
Trigger warnings - we do briefly touch upon topics related to bodily autonomy such as euthanaesia, IVF, and transgender stigma.
If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review on itunes or spotify, and stay tuned for another episode coming next week!
Kelsey chats to Kristen, who shares her story of terminating a pregnancy for medical reasons. First trimester prenatal testing (NIPT, Amniocentesis) revealed a diagnosis of Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), and she underwent a procedural/surgical abortion at the beginning of the second trimester. Termination of a wanted pregnancy involves a whole host of complicated emotions. She shares what it was like for her and her husband, including receiving care from private-religiously affiliated hospitals, and their journey to conceiving another child post-termination.
Resources
Lifeline - 13 11 14 is available for free, 24/7 crisis counselling if you need.
Ashley shares her 3 abortions with us today, and covers some of the health challenges and frustrations she has encountered with the medical system along the way. Thank you to Ashley for sharing your story with us!
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aussieabortions
Join the abortion women's circle on March 5 in Adelaide - https://events.humanitix.com/abortion-story-circle
Leave us a review on iTunes or Spotify, share this episode with someone you think could benefit from hearing it, and stay tuned for another episode coming NEXT WEEK! YES - We're into the swing of things for 2023 and Cass and I are gonna try to do this weekly for the next few months, YAHOO!
If you'd like to share your story with us, submit an expression of interest here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XCHLTY2
You can contact us on Instagram @australianabortionstories or email us australianabortionstories@gmail.com
Lifeline is always available is you find yourself in a mental health crisis and need to have a chat 13 11 14.
Ok - See ya next week! Take care of yourselves and each other.
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
In this week's episode, Cassidy (Episode 4) jumps on to interview Bec about her procedural abortion. To support the podcast, leave a review (seriously, do), share the episode on your socials or with someone who may benefit from hearing Bec's story, or click the Buy Me a Coffee link to help us fund Zoom's empire. If you'd like to share your story on the podcast, you can submit an expression of interest here or via the link on the instagram @australianabortionstories. If you'd like to contact us for another reason, email australianabortionstories@gmail.com. If you are considering an abortion, your local state based health service will have information on their website, or you can contact Marie Stopes. If you need to chat to someone: Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), Lifeline, and Children by Choice (QLD only, 1800 177 725) are all available to speak with on the phone. Stay tuned for another episode in a week or two, and as always thank you for listening - your stories matter.
Thank you to Bec for sharing your story.
If you are based in Fremantle/Walyalup or Darwin/Garramilla, you can reach out to The Abortion Project who hold peer support groups for people who have experienced abortion. You can find them on Instagram @the.abortionproject
The music in this episode was written and recorded by Oliver Shute and Hugo Ludemann.
Jessie Brebner from Fertility Charting joins me on the podcast today to speak about her work in contraception and body literacy as an educator and teacher of the Symptothermal method of Fertility Awareness. We speak about contraceptive effectiveness, research, post abortion shame, and where you can access further information if you are interested in learning the method.
Jessie's beautiful website is CHOCK FULL of amazing free resources and well worth a look at https://fertilitycharting.com.au. She can also be found on Instagram @fertilitycharting
Other resources mentioned:
You can contact me via australianabortionstories@gmail.com. If you are interested in sharing your story, fill out an expression of interest here and either Cass or I will get back to you.
Until next time, much love.
Kelsey