All in Two Abortions

"In patriarchal societies such as India’s, women are often taught motherhood is their life’s main calling, and therefore any choice that detracts from the path is automatically denounced."

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Two Abortions, India

“The most difficult issue with it is that you fall into this section where you barely have rights. You do have access to abortions and you can go get one, but nobody is going to support you, and if something goes wrong, you won’t get justice. Herein lies the crux of a lot of bad memories people associate with abortions. They don’t necessarily stem from the abortion procedure itself but instead arise from the impossible difficulties society has lined up for those seeking to exercise their reproductive rights." Read more.

"She asked me to get up on the kitchen table, where she tormented me for what seemed to me forever with all kinds of sharp metal instruments she kept boiling on an ancient stove." 

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Two Abortions, Bucharest, Romania

“She took great precautions not to let me make any noise by putting a rag in my mouth and asking me to bite on it when it hurt. I left that place with the conviction that I was never going to have sex again. I was worried because I continued getting morning sickness despite the ordeal I had gone through. Someone else took me for a secret check-up, which proved I was still pregnant. I was lucky I was taken to a real doctor this time, who finished the job on another kitchen table.” Read more.

"Fue porque las dos veces me falló el método anticonceptivo." * "It was because both times the contraceptive method failed me."

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Two Abortions, Mexico, Spanish/English

“Estoy segura que no quiero tener hijos pronto y por eso usaba esos anticonceptivos, pero no sé si fue mala suerte o si hago algo mal o qué.” Lee mas.

“I'm sure I don't want to have children soon and that's why I used those contraceptives, but I don't know if it was bad luck or if I do something wrong or what.” Read more.

"My abortions brought me joy and relief and sanity when I needed it most."

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Two Abortions, West Virginia, U.S.

“My second abortion was a procedural abortion. I remember drifting off to sleep in the feet-holders, and then waking up once it was over. I didn’t feel any of it. The clinic staff gave me soda to drink and let me rest for a bit. I remember walking out of the clinic and into the sunshine, feeling elated and relieved once more. I felt overwhelmingly free. It was beautiful.” Read more.

"Now? 34 weeks pregnant in a happy marriage and know what a disaster it would have been to keep either of my previous pregnancies."

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Two Abortions, U.S.

“The trauma felt around my second was ALL of the bullying that was done by the dude to make sure I was going to get an abortion. That one was in a clinic. My girlfriend came with me, and he ignored my texts and calls all day. THAT was traumatic. That is what was upsetting. I had loving care through the whole process and afterwards. And I’m so grateful I didn’t have a baby with someone who was so god damn manipulative, again at a young age.” Read more.

Podcast ~ Listen to actor Alyssa Milano and artist Amanda Palmer talk about their experiences of having more than one abortion.

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Audio, Two Abortions, Three Abortions, U.S., Scotland

"The hardest part of that whole day wasn't the procedure,” says Amanda Palmer, “it was actually the walk from the car to the clinic where I had to walk the gauntlet of angry, rageful, judgmental protestors." Says Alyssa Milano, “I was raised Catholic and was suddenly put in conflict with my faith — a faith I was coming to realize empowered only men to make every single decision of what was allowed and what was not allowed. I had a career and a future and potential.” Listen.

"I never imagined I could be pregnant; I didn't even think I was ovulating."

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Two Abortions, Location Unknown

“I was 28 when I had my first abortion. I had just started a new job, fresh out of graduate school and had just discovered I was in a horrible relationship. I couldn't get an abortion fast enough. I felt relieved mostly after it was over . . . At the age of 35 I had grown up a lot and had been dating a wonderful man for about three months while working towards my PhD. The very first time we had sex it happened. He co-signed my fears and stated that we were just starting a relationship, it was too soon, I had to finish my doctorate first. Still unsure, I went along with his strong wishes and had an abortion.” Read more.

"A year to the day later, I got pregnant again. I had missed ONE pill."

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Two Abortions, Colorado, U.S.

“We still weren't ready to have a child. I had to go back to the clinic, but I went to a different town because I felt embarrassed that it happened again and that, again, I'm still not ready. Same medicines, just this time I got an IUD. Prior to this, no one would put an IUD in. I had asked a few physicians in different states. I am 30 now. We are married and now getting ready to take the IUD out and plan for a family. I don't regret my decisions because I did what I had to do to feel comfortable/ready in bringing a child into this crazy world.” Read more.

"No woman should ever have to justify a decision on her own body."

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Two Abortions, Israel

“The first abortion in 2010 was horrible because it was illegal and done in a makeshift operating room and with the wrong anesthetics. I ended up trying to scratch my face off and vomiting all over the clinic. The second abortion in 2015 was done legally in a hospital, and it was the complete opposite. No pain, no discomfort. At all. The staff and the doctors reassured me.” Read more.

"Estoy bien, segura de mi decisión y en paz." -- "I am fine, sure of my decision and at peace."

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Two Abortions, Mexico

“Del primero nadie sabe, porque fue hace ocho años, viví una agresión sexual por parte de un amigo y no fui a denunciar, pero acudí a una clínica "no oficial" o sea clandestina, era lo único que sabía que existía.” Lee mas.

“No one knows about the first, because it was eight years ago. I experienced a sexual assault by a friend and I did not go to report it, but I went to an "unofficial" or clandestine clinic. It was the only thing I knew existed.” Read more.

"I feel guilty, but also not guilty, because I was responsible and did everything to avoid it. "

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Two Abortions, Netherlands

“The problem is that I have a disease which will not allow me to take anything with hormones — no birth control pills or anything. I was always really responsible when having sex. Despite that I got pregnant twice. I'm a student, don't have a boyfriend, don't have my own place and don't have any money to take care of another person.” Read more.

"I was 16 and just found out I was pregnant, I had my whole life ahead of me."

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Two Abortions, Location Unknown

“My second abortion was at 21. I found out I was pregnant again. I had a wave of emotions and this time the decision was not as easy. I’d always wanted a baby and would’ve loved to have been a mum, again I was silly and didn’t use contraception. My mum was so unsupportive and in fact, made my life hell as she thought I’d ruin my life by having this baby. I was so confused and really didn’t know what to do.” Read More.

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