This story is published at Shout Your Abortion.
I got pregnant the first time when I was 17. I found out at 8 weeks and knew I didn’t want to become a mother in my circumstance.
My boyfriend was into drugs, and his response when I told him was, “Shall I push you down the stairs?”
He was nasty and I didn’t want to bring a baby into the world with him as its father. I booked in and had my abortion within a week.
It was painful, it was scary, but I knew it was the right decision. I told my mum at the last minute and my family were all supportive and helped me through the pain.
A month after turning 21, I found out I was pregnant again. This time was a bit different.
The guy I was with came from a loving, supportive family like myself, and I was close to finishing my degree. 21 wasn’t young like 17 was, should I keep it? Something within me said NO, you can’t, your life dream is to travel and see the world.
Besides, I had only been seeing this guy for a few months. So, at 6 weeks pregnant, I had my second abortion. I found out a few weeks later that the guy I was with had been cheating on me whilst I was pregnant.
I will forever be grateful that I was able to access free, safe abortions in my hometown with no judgment from anyone along the way.
I am 21 now, and preparing to travel for the foreseeable future. I hope one day to be happy about a pregnancy, but for now, I am happy being childless, thanks to abortion.
~ Emma