Jun 8 Jun 8 "My experience with self-managed abortion allowed me to make the best decision for my body and my future on my own terms." Sharing Truth Four Abortions, U.S. My abortion journey began early in the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and was punctuated by four pregnancies that I decided to terminate. I discovered my first pregnancy in March 2020 as a 19-year-old college sophomore in Ohio. I was determined to get an abortion, but bureaucratic hurdles like navigating a maze of waiting periods and clinic closures thwarted my attempts. But with the support of Abortion Fund of Ohio and an appointment I booked “just in case” at a local independent clinic, I got the abortion I wanted. Read more.
May 9 May 9 "I felt the same liberation and relief at my options as I did the first time." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, U.S. “The first one was as a young college student and there was no question in my mind about what I wanted to do. My second abortion was 13 years later, and while I knew I wanted a child with my partner, I also knew I needed to finish grad school, and I couldn’t have a baby in the middle of that.” Read more.
Sep 1 Sep 1 "I have a good job, a stable life, a beautiful dog, and I don’t want children ever." Sharing Truth Seven Abortions, U.K. “I’ve been refused contraception from my GP due to underlying health issues, and refused sterilisation because I’m too young and apparently “will change my mind on not wanting children”. That’s a whole separate issue. I see abortion as a perfectly legitimate medical procedure to remove a tiny cluster of cells from your body, similar to getting your appendix out, or a cyst removed.” Read more.
Aug 4 Aug 4 "I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been mentally and physically as of today. All because I had a choice. " Sharing Truth Two Abortions, U.S. “Ten years ago I had my first medication abortion. It was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. We were about to move out together, I lost my job, he had gotten a demotion, and we just knew we weren’t ready. It was that simple. No regrets other than not talking about it MORE.” Read more.
Jun 15 Jun 15 "I felt and still feel perfectly fine about my decisions to have abortions, both times." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Sweden “I simply did not want children at that time in my life. I knew that beforehand and I stuck with that decision without faltering or doubting it for a second. Nobody I talked to said anything against it as far as I can remember — but I also didn't care at all what other people thought about it. I was sure about my decision and that was all I needed.” Read more.
Apr 3 Apr 3 "We are currently still in university." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Singapore “We did practice safe sex, such as using barriers, my partner did not even ejaculate in. Up till this date, we are still puzzled how we got pregnant. On a positive note, it just means that my partner and I are fertile and we are thankful and grateful for this.” Read more.
Feb 17 Feb 17 " I made the choices because I care about the greater good." Sharing Truth Multiple Abortions, Location Not Given “I felt that I could not provide for a child under my circumstances and I was supported by the father. It was not an easy decision to make but I do not regret it and I would make the same decision again.” Read more.
Jan 10 Jan 10 "Having an unwanted pregnancy is an overwhelming and emotionally draining experience." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, U.S. “Some people might say you are not responsible or that a real woman would find a way. The truth is that a real woman will assess her situation and consider every one involved in her situation and be strong enough to make a decision that she will be judged for and live with for the rest of her life regardless of which path she chooses.” Read more.
Jan 8 Jan 8 "The hardship of parenthood is huge, and I just couldn’t do it mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, U.K. “Abortions are there for a reason. I feel shamed and alone because I don’t feel like I can freely speak about my decision unless the person knows exactly my reasoning for it, and that still wouldn’t be justifiable for some people, and that’s ok. It’s my life not theirs, and I don’t live it for anyone else but me and my son. I know I’m strong and I will be ok, and anyone else having to make this tough decision, you will be ok too.” Read more.
Dec 27 Dec 27 "I always thought that getting pregnant was never something that would happen to me." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Location Not Given “I realized that my body didn’t ask me permission to get pregnant, it is no one’s fault, and in most if not all cases, it isn’t something that can be controlled. We are human, and we do the best that we can with the resources that we have. In hindsight, I recognize that having an abortion was the best option for me, even if it felt like the only option at the time.” Read more.
Dec 20 Dec 20 "The only shame I feel today is the shame of staying quiet publicly about my experience." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, U.S. “I am one of the lucky ones – I had access to abortion, I could afford them, and I knew I wouldn’t have to face any extreme consequences for my abortions. Many people are not as lucky, and I realized today that my silence has contributed to the culture war we are facing where so many of us just stay quiet.” Read more.
Nov 29 Nov 29 "I've never been ashamed of having more than one abortion." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, U.S. “I like children, but am not sure I need to have one myself or on my own. I would maybe consider it if I was in the right relationship, but it is not an overwhelming need for me. My last abortion I was in a relationship, but it was unstable. I did not want to be tied for the rest of my life to a man that had that many issues.” Read more.
Nov 21 Nov 21 "I thought I would end up being one more mother pretending to be happy." ~ "Pensé que terminaría siendo una madre más fingiendo ser feliz". Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Mexico, In Spanish & English, Later Abortions “I tried to get used to the idea of having it, and in a moment of madness I told everyone. I called it good news. That same night I regretted saying it because I really didn't want it and neither did their support make me change my mind.” Read more.“Traté de acostumbrarme a la idea de tenerlo, y en un momento de locura se lo conté a todos. Lo llamé buenas noticias. Esa misma noche lamenté haberlo dicho porque realmente no lo quería y tampoco su apoyo me hizo cambiar de opinión ”. Lee mas.
Sep 16 Sep 16 "I’m so glad I trusted my brain, my body and my heart." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Oregon, U.S. “I found out I was pregnant again when she was 7 months old and knew I wasn’t ready for another baby. It felt so selfish to give my daughter a sibling so young. I just want her to grow up and be the main focus for a while. I ordered the abortion pills and tried to prepare myself while waiting for them to arrive. Once they arrived I was so scared and just bawled my eyes out thinking about how terrible of a person I was to be doing this.” Read more.
Jul 20 Jul 20 "I was a mom and didn't want more kids." Sharing Truth Five Abortions, Location Not Given “I felt most guilty right before the 2nd abortion. I felt like, everyone gets ONE mistake, you know? This, despite the fact that I had struggled with serious postpartum depression and had an extremely long list of reasons why another child at that point in my life would have been a terrible choice, despite the fact that I am a running joke of failed birth control methods and could have found plenty of ‘not my fault’ excuses.” Read more.
Jun 10 Jun 10 "I found out the hard way that he doesn’t want the baby and isn’t willing to be a part of the baby’s life." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, New York “I grew up with no father and refuse to put my baby through hell knowing me and the father can’t give him or her everything we can offer. I can’t live with my baby’s father intentionally hoping there’s something wrong with the baby, so I won’t be able to do this!” Read more.
May 15 May 15 "My second abortion was an incredible experience as I felt loved and supported." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Texas, Colorado “My previous abortion helped me prepare better this time around, and it was a pleasant experience. I had a fantastic obstetrician supporting my decision. I hired an abortion doula and tasked my husband with caring for our daughter. My daughter was in the room while I had an abortion, playing with my husband and her toys. I was in a tub of warm water, watching Grey’s Anatomy and eating a sandwich through the pain while my doula supported me emotionally and physically.” Read more.
May 6 May 6 "I feel guilty but I had no choice." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Kenya “Abortion is illegal here and this affected me and made me feel guilty. But I overcame this. It’s not me only —over a million ladies do this yearly. Obviously people can't tell you how they feel about you. But inside their minds they think— she is a whore and such.” Read more.
Apr 23 Apr 23 "I had a no-shame medication abortion." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Hungary “To do it in the safety of your home, beside your loved ones, gives you positiveness, strength and empowers you in many ways. No shame at all. I had an abortion once before, in a hospital. I felt I will not survive the shame and depressive feelings that were planted in me by hospital staff.” Read more.
Mar 31 Mar 31 "I was terrified of the fact that something was growing inside of me, and had a fear that someone would inherit my mental health problems." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Finland “I have suffered from panic disorder, general anxiety and OCD from a very young age. In my early thirties I was also diagnosed with depression. I’ve used antidepressants since the age of 20. When we started to try to get pregnant, I lowered my dose of antidepressants to a minimum. In retrospect it was a mistake. One evening I was crying on our couch because I was so depressed and anxious about what our future would look like with a baby. I was really struggling to keep my mind even somewhat normal. My boyfriend then said to me: “You know we still have time to decide if we want to terminate the pregnancy. You are more important than anything and you are the light of my life.” Read more.
