A review by gemmaclark14
A Necessary Kindness by Juno Carey

emotional hopeful informative sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Essential reading, written by an author who has undergone IVF, experienced miscarriages, had children, and is also a pro-choice midwife. This book debunks a lot of anti-choice nonsense and is incredibly nuanced and complex. Carey has cared for women who have been abused and trafficked, girls who haven't understood what was happening to them, trans men, imprisoned women, heartbroken women whose pregnancies are nonviable, and empowered women simply making a choice. Abortion is needed by all kinds of people for various reasons. 

Contrary to anti-choice propaganda, midwives ensure they speak to patients alone to ensure the choice is truly theirs. 

She recalls asking a woman to come in for an in-person consultation during Covid due to concerns about coercion and even having to refuse abortion care to someone who was too mentally unwell to give informed consent at the time. 

She discusses the problems with paid anti-abortion protesters, who thrust inaccurate leaflets into vulnerable people's hands, and recalls asking them exactly what 'help' they are offering - nappies and church groups. She also recounts them also engaging in very strange behavior such as praying over bins full of normal (non-clinical) waste. 

A fascinating read from an expert in her field. I wish all medical professionals working with pregnant individuals would read this book.