Friends of Facebook, I feel like writing this today.
Bear with me- it’s a long ‘un, and may contain surprises
So. Back in April I discovered I was pregnant (yay!), and towards the end of June we found out it was not to be (not so yay).
This morning, I should have been in the Rotunda with a full bladder, having my twelve week scan. Instead, I was in Glasnevin crematorium, leading a funeral. Kinda apt.
I’m sharing this now because not to share feels like withholding. I know for sure that it’s a topic we don’t talk about enough. We’re too afraid to say the wrong thing (In fairness there’s nothing much anyone can say, other than “Oh NO, that’s shit. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you”) That’s always nice to hear.
The other reason I’m sharing this, is because it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the fact that I am now living the reality of being a woman living DIRECTLY under the looming threat of the 8th Amendment.
This pregnancy was very welcome, and much wanted. However, there came the time when it was very apparent that it was not going to continue, and it would not result in a baby- no matter what anyone did or said or wanted. Nature was taking her course, and so I did what I always do- I trusted my body and I went along with it.
Thankfully, all has gone smoothly, and although I’m tired and physically depleted, my health is intact. Other women are not so lucky. As I was miscarrying, I was very aware that of anything should go wrong, if I got an infection or if I started to haemorrhage, the healthcare I would receive would be severely restricted- because of the 8th Amendment.
As long as there was a trace of life in my uterus, that potential life would carry equal weight to my actual life- even though the potential for life would OBVIOUSLY end if my life ended.
I want to rant and rave about how STUPID that is! I want to rant and rave about how the 8th Amendment RISKS lives and TAKES lives- it doesn’t save them.
And so I lay in bed, reading articles about this nonsense we call the 8th Amendment and- more importantly- the comments people were writing on them. Comments from people I know, who I thought would know better, who clearly had no idea of the true reality of what they’re so vehemently protecting when they defend the 8th.
I have so much to say about this, but for now I want to drive a very real point home.
I have spent the last three weeks at the mercy of the 8th Amendment. If you love me, and if you value my life, PLEASE inform yourself about what the 8th Amendment really means.
I trust you to value my life. I trust you to value my role as a living and breathing mother to my living and breathing son. I trust you to vote to #RepealThe8th. Please trust me to make my own decisions about my body, my family and my healthcare.
And if you think it will help someone to understand the reality behind the campaign to Repeal the 8th, please feel free to share 
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#TrustWomen #RepealThe8th
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❤️ But those words ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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sorry for your loss, Karen. Thank you for your thoughtful clarity in writing on such a complex experience. 
I’m so sorry your pregnancy did not progress.
?Thank you for using your life and your love to elevate our hearts and minds.
Love.
????I’m sharing your post.
❤️?xxxx
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Blessings to you.
❤️❤️?xxxx
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❤️❤️?xxxxxxx
). And I mean it. Take care xxx❤️❤️?
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️to all your family x
❤️ to you & Liam.
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Big hugs.
Annxx
❤️shared.
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Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal experience in a way that might just give those who don’t fully understand (or care) such an essential insight into the harm caused by the eight. It is the bravery of folk like you that will shine a lift on the lived horror inflicted by the 8th amendment
Very best wishes, and gratitude xx
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#repeal …See more
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Saying oh your blooming won’t be long now.is a pain no mother should ever have to bear. So now when I’m asked how did you celebrate the ,millennium I say I didn’t I was too busy waiting for my baby to die
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?But I also had to endure the birth, followed all too soon death of three sons, how dare anyone tell me that I had no right to terminate earlier if I chose to, It’ s my decision, my body.
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People who shared this
Jac Sinnott shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Ni Bhriain Breathnach Bree shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post — with Michelle Ní Dhubhlaíocht and 42 others.
This beautiful lady has shared her story and it’s a story many of us can relate to. The 8th amendment in Ireland is NOT just about abortion. The 8th as it stands means that women become immediately less important to any foetus they carry and have no legal rights to potentially life saving treatment. Let that just sink in a minute! As soon as a woman becomes pregnant she is legally secondary to that foetus while it is deemed ‘potentially viable’
A miscarriage is a horrible en…
Antonia Smyth shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Amy Firth shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
All truth & courage & heart from my Rev sister Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh: such an important voice in a truly important conversation… #repealthe8th
Teresa Mc Cann shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Such a strong post written by a great woman. Please read as the information from her life experience is invaluable. Repeal the 8th Amendment.
Mary McCallion Dempsey shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
I have tears in my eyes reading Karen’s tenderly and beautifully written piece that I know was not easy to write or go public about. She is that kind of soul who cares for the world and others so much that she searches to find the essence and value in every experience. Brave little prophet and teacher – and our little unborn grandchild too-made its mark – love you and Liam and B xxx so proud 
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Sarah Dillon shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Regina Curley shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Nicola Cairncross shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Do you know what the 8th Amendment is all about? It affects 50% of the population so if you don’t, this is a quick essential read.
Jane Lewis shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
This is by a friend of mine who lives in Ireland (the Republic, although I think it would be true in Northern Ireland too). Living in mainland UK we women have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to who has the final say in respect of our bodies. In the 21st century this does shock me.
Caroline Caffrey shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Fantastic piece, beautifully written and so very, very true.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THIS POST IT IS SO IMPORTANT
Nora MC shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Repeal Global shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
We saw this post on our timeline and had to share. The 8th amendment affects ALL pregnant people. Those who want to continue their pregnancy and those who don’t.
It does NOTHING but put women at risk, endanger their lives and sometimes even take their lives. We need to Repeal. Women’s bodies should never have been in the constitution.
Katie O Boyle shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
O Black Betty shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Lavo Jen shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Leanne Lowry shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Breda Stackpool shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
EVERY woman should have the right to choose or at least get the medical care they need if their life is or has the possibility of being in danger.
Thank you Karen for your bravery and openness in sharing your story.
Breda x
Geraldine Bown shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
This is one of many stories that need to be told, boldly and bravely. Thank you Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh for your courage in sharing this. I am so sorry for your loss.
Niamh Pigott shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
A tough read but a great article … although I don’t agree with them I can totally understand why a lot of people are ‘against’ abortion but surely all women deserve fair treatment when it comes to miscarriage … this is what the eight amendment is all about #repealthe8th
Leah Norah shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
It’s not just about the right to abortion, it’s also about medical care, consent and consequences.
Lau Mar shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Ilona Keane shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
If you have any curiosity or need to know how the 8th Amendment affects our female rights to sovereignty over our bodies, please read this beautiful, fierce post from a very special lady.
Éadaoin Curtin shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
This is what it means to be a woman of child-bearing age in this country today… Heartachingly and terrifyingly real.
Lai Zane Noah shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Paul Beggan shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Please read…
Authored by my sister in law Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh…
This is the most personal, open and heartfelt post on the 8th Amendment and what it REALLY means for our living, breathing, walking and talking Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, our female friends and colleagues and everyone who relies on women (All of us BTW!)
Anna Doyle shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Lorna Yespmed shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
My sister is a registered nurse, has midwifery training, she’s a psychotherapist and an interfaith minister (which means she can legally do weddings and funerals for those of any faith or none). She understands better then most what happens to women within our system, I’m sad that she lost her pregnancy but also sad that our country can’t be trusted to protect women’s lives once conception takes place. It’s not a nice subject but Ireland needs to talk.
Andie Lambert shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
The 8th amendment affects women with wanted pregnancies every day. I’m so so sorry for your loss Karen x
Sinead McDonald shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
This. It’s not just about abortion. It’s about basic healthcare for women, even when the baby is very much wanted 
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Ranae Von Meding shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post — with Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh and Audrey Rooney.
Written by our dear friend who married us last year. Really hits home when someone close to you is directly affected by the 8th Amendment. And the thing is, there is always someone close to you, they just might not be able to speak out about it.
Amy Bebbington shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
I went to school with Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh. She’s a clever, funny, charming and wonderful woman and mother – with multiple qualifications (some medical as it happens) to her name. I had a big spiel added but her words don’t need anything extra #trustwomen#repealthe8th#compassion
Emma Galvin shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
Jennifer Juniper Varon shared Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh‘s post.
My friend Karen Ní Dhíomasaigh wrote this, and I’m sharing it because of the powerful point it makes about the 8th amendment. Thank you Karen for being willing to share your painful experience in order to educate and help people!