Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I am pro-choice because being a feminist is one of the most fundamental pieces of who I am. I’m committed to fighting for policies that expand the possibilities of women’s choice. The Hotline has helped me to have my own choice, and for this I am very grateful. The clinic was the only place I contacted (and I contacted many!) where I found quality and care and I felt respected. Thank you. Both the Hotline and the clinic have made a huge difference.
--submitted by Jordan* through a member clinic
I have always been pro-choice, and I always kept myself informed as to what my options were when it came to reproductive health care. I never thought I would have to use the information on abortion until I found out I was pregnant.
I am a 22-year-old college student who lives at home with her parents. I work as a waitress and my boyfriend works at a grocery store and plans to go to graduate school. There is no way we could have supported a child.
From the time I found out I was pregnant to the time of the abortion, I threw up two to three times a day, every day. I hid my sickness from my parents and had to put on a happy face. It was so hard. I became depressed and frustrated because not only was I tired from being pregnant; I was also very weak from not being able to eat.
If my parents ever knew I had an abortion, they would kick me out of the house and disown me. They told me this when I was a teenager.
My boyfriend and I had only been going out for three months when we discovered we were pregnant. We both discussed our options and came to a conclusion quickly. Throughout the whole medical abortion, he was there every step of the way. We had to get a hotel room in order for me to have my medical abortion. With how sick and weak I was, there was no way I could have covered that up at my house or at his. I am so grateful to him.
It scares me to think that there are 70-year-old men over in Washington DC who I have never met before, and probably never will, that could have had the chance to decide my life's path, and not me. No complete stranger should be able to take away my education and the life I dream of.
I did it for my future. -- I did it because I was concerned that I would not be able to raise the child in the right way and give it everything it needed, and because as supportive as my boyfriend was, I did not know him well enough to ensure that we would be together forever.
There are days where I still sometimes feel sad, because this was not an easy decision. But in my heart I know I did the right thing.
--submitted by Alexa* through our website
*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy
Thank you for being brave enough to share your story. I too am in the same position. Although My boyfriend and I have been together since I was 16, at 21 I am unable to support a child financially and emotionally. I find myself in moments of pure sadness, but I know in my heart I am doing the right thing, and I know that I am, and always will be a good person who had to make a really rough choice. This is not an easy decision, and its something nobody is ever happy about doing. Fortunantly I have a family who is behind me every step of the way, and that has made it a little bit easier. I found out I was pregnant only a few weeks ago. It came as a shock because I was still having a period, and my only indication was that I felt miserable,weak,felt full all the time, and was terribly nausious. 6 days after my discovery I went to planned parenthood, where I was there to recieve the medication abortion, it was there I was told I was pregnant with twins and I was 6 weeks along...it was the most devastating news in the world at that moment. They told me that one of the fetus' did not look as though it was going to take and would probubly not develope, but if I chose to continue with this pregnancy I would need to see a high risk specialist. That day I was denied the pill, and sent home to think it through for another week. Here I am typing right now awaiting wednesday....the date of my new apt. where I have chosen to undergo the medical procedure. This has been very trying time for me and my boyfried, and I often feel very alone. I just know that right now I need to complete college and become stable before i can offer a child a good life, and right now is not that time. I came across this site looking for comfort, and trying to feel less alone. Thank you for sharing your story. You don't know how much it has meant to me. Its good to know that there are other young women who can share a similar story.
By 
, at
9:53 PM
I hate that I didn't see your comment sooner & that you are/were feeling so alone. While no one can make this decision for you, for what it's worth, I think you are doing the right thing. I made a similar decision many years ago, when I was about 2 years older than you. I'm 42 now, happily married with a son in his 1st year of college doing great. I can't say I've never been sad over my decision, but I don't regret it & I don't dwell on it. I did what was best for everyone involved. I hope you will have the same attitude/feelings. It gets easier. The first few weeks, there's the physical, emotional, & hormonal stuff to deal with, but that passes! Best of luck to you.
By , at
4:42 PM
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