"I always feel like I’m going to be judged."
This story was submitted to us.
I’ve had 2–one at 18 while on the pill, and another at 40, after having 3 kids. I had a pulmonary embolism at 40 and the drs attributed it to the pill, so I was immediately taken off of it and put on a low dose copper IUD at the time. To be honest, the only time I ever feel shame about having had 2 is when I go to a new ob/gyn and I have to answer the “how many pregnancies” question in the new patient paperwork.
I always feel like I’m going to be judged and I wish there was space on the form so I could explain the “why”, except then I realize a) I’m pretty impervious to judgment, so judge away if you must, and b) I shouldn’t have to explain a single thing. No one thinks I owe an explanation for why I have 4 tattoos, or why I have a dental implant, so why would I feel I should have to explain the “why” behind my two abortions to anyone?