With Roe v Wade being overturned in the United States of America (USA) many people have found themselves heartbroken and concerned about what options they will now have once they find out they are pregnant. Although far removed from the USA, pregnancy and the options available to persons who find themselves in this situation is a universal issue and one that affects students. PDBY turned to Student Health Services to take students through the options available to UP students that find themselves pregnant.
When you have reason to believe that you are pregnant, Student Health Services will conduct a pregnancy test to confirm whether you are pregnant or not. Once the student is confirmed to be pregnant, they will be advised as to what their options are. There are three main options available to students, all of which will be presented by the Sister dealing with them at the Student Health Services. These options include terminating the pregnancy by having an abortion, keeping the pregnancy, or keeping the pregnancy and putting the baby up for adoption. The Sister will provide guidance as to what each of these options involve, including what kind of tests and procedures may be conducted at a government clinic or private healthcare facility, before referring the student. It is then the responsibility of the student to make the choice that is best suited to them. Student Health Services will then refer the student according to this decision.
When being referred, there are many options available which are generally determined by whether the student has medical aid or not. Where the student does not have medical aid, they will be referred to the local government clinic that will then conduct the necessary procedures surrounding the student’s choice.
At the clinic or private healthcare facility, there will be midwives that will guide the student through the necessary tests and procedures done for a pregnant woman. If you intend to give the baby up for adoption, this must be stipulated to the midwife so that the necessary guidance can be given and the necessary paperwork completed. It is important to note that services provided by the government clinic are free.
In addition to this, UP also has a Memorandum of Understanding with an NGO, Crossroads. Crossroads can be found in the Roosmaryn building opposite the Student Health Services Clinic on Hatfield campus. Once referred by a Sister, Crossroads plays an important role in giving the student support and counselling by taking them through their options in more detail than what will be done at the clinic.
Finally, it must be noted that if you intend to terminate the pregnancy through an abortion you must be less than 12 weeks pregnant. The number of weeks is calculated according to the size of the foetus when a scan is conducted, either at the government clinic or private healthcare facility. The number of weeks since the end of your last period is also a factor that must be considered in pregnancy termination.
Student Health Services also noted that they provide several different types of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. This includes a hormonal contraceptive that can be injected, an oral contraceptive such as the pill, condoms and a long-acting form of birth control that is inserted into your arm and lasts up to 3 years. In addition to this, IUD’s will also soon be available at the Student Health Services Clinic.
As a UP student, you can rely on Student Health Services to provide support, guidance, and certain medical help when you find yourself pregnant. It is important to note that you are not alone and that help is easily accessible.
For more information on this topic visit the Student Health Services Clinic on campus or contact them through
info.shs@up.ac.za or 012 420 2500.
Hi I'm Lauren, I'm passionate about writing and run a personal blog called Life on my Wall (@lifeonmywall). I enjoy writing about student issues and minority group experiences.