This story is published at Shout Your Abortion.

I had an abortion 16 years ago. Twins.

I was young, scared and wracked with guilt. I felt this way because it’s the way society told me I was supposed to feel.

I didn’t share my experience or the way it affected me with anyone. I was too ashamed to share and so the negative feelings stayed with me for many years.

Then I started talking about it and everything changed. I realized that abortion is common. I realized that so many of us have chosen to determine the outcomes of our own lives. We are better off if we can freely accept and own the empowerment that comes with our brave decisions.

I believe that all of society benefits when we become mothers by choice. Feel however you want to feel. The stigma stops with us. Be bold and talk about it. Get loud. Shout your fucking abortion.