All in Two Abortions
“The illegality of my abortions did not affect my feelings, just my willingness to talk about it with those I feel safe not to be judged by. It was the right choice for my life.” Click the green title to see the whole story.
“I feel I made the right choice even though it is emotionally and physically painful. I have never regretted my first abortion either. I need to get myself to a point where I can be a wonderful parent. I'm not there yet. To any of the women out there thinking about abortion, only you know if the choice is right for you.” Click the green title to see the whole story.
“Years later, when her son was 6 years old, Allen’s partner had a vasectomy. She said she didn’t realize that for some time after a vasectomy it is still possible to get pregnant. She was too old to have another baby and not financially prepared, she said.” Click the green title to see the whole story.
“I no longer carry shame for my abortions because I know the hatred comes from misinformation. I know I made the right choices for myself and my body. I’m a mother, and I love my babies dearly. I’m a human who has sought out medical care when I needed it. By doing so, I’ve had two abortions. After the second, I realized with certainty that abortion is reproductive health care. “ Click the green title to read more.
“I have two children and I’ve had two abortions. I am deeply grateful for my children and enraged that my abortions would be anyone’s business — not because I’m ashamed, or regretful, or even feel that it’s especially private — no more so than any other medical procedure — but because for me it’s just not an interesting, important fact of who I am.” Click the green title to read more.
“I’ve been pregnant six times in my life. I have three children. I had one miscarriage and I’ve had two abortions. Four of my pregnancies have been unintended and I was using birth control with all of them. I joke with people that I’m very fertile and I tell men now when I’m in a sexual relationship with them that I get pregnant very easily. Like you could walk by me and look at me the wrong way and — poof! — I’m pregnant. And that actually is not that far from the truth.” Listen to the whole podcast episode.
“Six months later I was pregnant again. This time a condom had broke. I had gone to the OB clinic in my small town. The morning after pill was still very new. It cost 75$ that I did not have. The nurse gave me birth control pills and instructed me to take many more than was normal thinking it would work like the morning after pill. I also researched abortifacient herbs and tried that. I was still pregnant.” Click the green title to read more.
“I am bitter as I see the pictures of their kids—these old partners of mine. They were never called sluts online or in person. They never suffered any consequences. I would just appreciate an apology, an acknowledgement—freely given of what that wrought, their role in it, how they behaved, and what they should have been—which was much much better men than they were.” Click the green title to read more.
“He didn't want it so I made up my mind but felt as if I wasn’t really present. I went through it on my own and didn't tell anyone.” Click the green title to read more.
“The first was pre-Roe when I was 16 and there was no legal access to abortion in the US. I had to travel to Puerto Rico where it wasn’t legal but where it was easier to obtain a safe illegal abortion. Long difficult process.” Click the green title to read more.
“I wasn't ready emotionally or financially to have a child. I didn't want to put my body through pregnancy and childbirth and I also didn't have the security to raise a child. I am proud of the decision I made.” Click the green title to read more.
“I had a very unstable upbringing — absent father, constantly moving, in foster care whilst my Mum was depressed and suicidal for long periods — and for me I do not want to bring a child into the world without the security of having a stable, permanent home.” Click the green title to read more.
“Me, a lifelong Christian, living in ultra conservative, small town USA, surrounded by people who think abortions are the work of the devil, had two and never told a soul. I didn’t take time off work and carried on.” Click the green title to read more.
“I had just met my husband in the summer, and that fall I found out I was pregnant. It was far too early in our relationship. He has three children from a previous marriage. Neither of us could find work at the time, and I suffer from bipolar mood disorder and anxiety attacks. It was bad timing really.” Click the green title to read more.
“The hardest part for me to come to terms with is the fact that both times I had taken the emergency contraceptive pill, which doctors have told me fails only one time in every hundred.” Click the green title to read more.
“Before I was completely affected by the sedation, my nurse grabbed my hand and smiled at me and that made everything great because I wanted my mom there so bad.” Click the green title to read more.
“Never wanted children, but had healthy, heterosexual relationships. Was a great pill taker; then my gyn told me women need to 'give their bodies a break,' that I shouldn't stay on the pill for a long time, and took me off it.” Click the green title to read more.
“He explained he would not be helping me pay for the abortion, so I had to reschedule my appointment for the day I get paid and deal with being pregnant an additional week and a half.” Click the green title to read more.
“I had no idea how I was going to handle a miscarriage with nowhere to have it in peace and privacy. It was then that I decided to abort. My boyfriend was supportive. I took a friend with me and we drove 2 hours away to the nearest clinic that would perform one that far along.” Click the green title to read more.
“I could not see a point anywhere in the future where I would want children in my life. The realization shocked me. Children had always been part of the plan. I began to realize that that plan belonged to somebody else. It was everyone else’s expectations of me as a woman.” Click the green title to read more.
