Iqaluit (Feb 24/03) - When Penny found out she was pregnant, she was not happy. She knew her relationship would be over and she knew how jealous her partner could be.

Most of all, she knew she wasn't ready to be a mother.

For Penny, who wished not to have her identity revealed in this article, an abortion was the right thing to do.

"It was the biggest relief having the abortion done. The only thing I regret is not having any regrets. I'm not meant to have a child," she said.

Penny felt sick for a long time before knowing she was pregnant -- her period remained and two pregnancy tests came back negative.

She went to the doctor because she thought she had an ulcer. When she found out she was carrying a baby, she was left with a critical decision -- one she ultimately had to make on her own. Penny chose to abort the pregnancy.

Medical attention

She said the support she received was great at the Baffin Regional Hospital -- all she had to do was check in and check out.

"There I was under these big, bright lights and someone is there holding my hand."

Aside from some initial discomfort, it wasn't a painful procedure at all, explained Penny, who never told her boyfriend about the pregnancy. She said the relationship was too on-again, off-again.

She can't remember ever feeling so relieved as she did that day. "That moment I woke up and knew it was over."