This story is published at Women on Web.
I had two abortions in my life: one when I was 21 and newly married and one eight years later at the end of our marriage. This was in the 80s and 90s.
I was lucky in that I had no particular difficulty in either case — except for the expense. I had to borrow the money for the first abortion.
My experience is what it should be like for every woman. I recognized that I was not able to have children either emotionally or financially nor did I want to be a mother.
Nobody in my family felt any other way, everyone was supportive. Nobody was outside the clinics protesting — which is a pretty mild word for what they do.
Both clinics that I went to were efficient, clean and staffed by good people.
I share this experience because, as I said before, that's how it should be for everyone. Denying women access to reproductive rights is a crime against humanity, nothing less.
I'm not only peaceful with my decisions but in fact I'm proud of them. Both times, it was the best thing for all concerned. I am proud of choosing not to have a child when it would have been wrong for everyone. I am completely unapologetic. I have no negative feelings about it whatsoever.
No woman should be forced to do anything with her body that she doesn't choose and I'm grateful that I wasn't put through that.
In the 80s and 90s there was no access to medication abortion, which would have been nice. I underwent D&C which was fine, not a problem, however a less intrusive method is better.
I was supported by friends and family. Nobody argued with me or attempted to interfere which is as it should be for every woman.
~Anne Jellinek