This story is published at Shout Your Abortion.

I had my first abortion in 1998 at age 19. It was during my college years, and in all honesty I wasn’t sure who the father was.

Part of me could not see myself having an abortion, it just felt so wrong. I told a good girlfriend of mine about my pregnancy and found out that she had 2 previous abortions. My friend talked me into having an abortion, and I am so grateful she did. We are still good friends today.

I had my first baby, a beautiful daughter, at age 22. I just felt like I was ready. Was not married, and the father was a bit of a jerk (and still is), but I knew I wanted this one.

I had my second abortion at age 23. No way was I having a baby so soon! I remember I had this abortion at 7 weeks. This was a surgical abortion, but the pain from the procedure itself was extremely minimal.

Got married to my wonderful husband in August 2003.

I had my third abortion at age 25. This was the toughest. Originally my husband and I were planning on keeping it, our first pregnancy together, but in the end we just felt like taking care of my first daughter was enough. We made the decision on aborting it when I started showing. I had this abortion at 11 weeks.

I had my second baby (my husband’s first) another beautiful daughter, at age 27.

I had my third baby (my husbands second) a little insane but wonderful son, at 30.

I had my fourth abortion at age 32. I had a 10 year old, a 5 year old and a 2 year old! Need I say more?

Four months after my fourth abortion I found out I was pregnant again. This was beyond insane between us, keeping it or not! My husband wanted to keep it, I did not. UUUGGGHHH!!!

Part of me was thinking of having an abortion without him knowing, but I knew that wouldn’t be a good thing. The battle between us lasted weeks, but in the end I won.

I had this abortion on August 22, 2012. It was six years ago today, and I was just a few days shy of my 33rd birthday. Let me add I was 13 weeks 3 days for this abortion, and the pain from the procedure was the most painful of the five.

Last year my 16 year old daughter become pregnant. She told me about it just days after she found out. We have (almost) always had that wonderful mother-daughter relationship together, and I knew that helping her out was the best way of making her feel better about herself. I knew she was sexually active, and I knew that it could happen, and for me I was always ready for it.

My daughter became a stronger woman because of her abortion, not that I wish she ever needed one, but I am grateful she had that choice and that she came to me for help.

Today I have a 17-year-old daughter, a 12-year-old daughter, and an 8-year-old boy. My five abortions helped me in supporting the three children I have today, and abortion is very much pro-life because of it.

And because of abortion my daughter can live the life she wants. When she is ready she will have a baby, but only when she is ready.

~Anonymous