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“I can tell you that I was too young to be a parent when I got pregnant for the first time during my freshman year of college. I can tell you that I had severe postpartum depression after the birth of my first child, and had very real reasons to think that giving birth to any additional children would do serious damage to my mental health, as well as damage to my marriage and to my ability to parent the child I already had.”
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“After I had my first child I found out I was pregnant when she was six months old. I decided that I could not take on another child when I had an infant. So I decided to have an abortion. The experience in itself was life changing. Then in 2013, the same situation. I just had a baby girl and a couple of months later I found out I was pregnant. The third abortion, we hit some financial strains. It appeared to be twins and I knew I couldn’t have two, there was just no way.”
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“The nurse took my hand and told me this and I'll never forget exactly: " I'm right here for you. Hold my hand and squeeze as tight as you need to if you feel anything." Then we had a conversation about school, and by the time we started we were finished. We didn’t get to talk at all. I got up and put my shorts on and she sent me to another well-lit room with a little tea and chocolate. I stayed there for about 30 minutes and called my boyfriend. He came and we went back to life.” Click the green title to read more.
“To this day, I think of the children I could have had. Would they have been boys? Girls? One of each? If I had had them, one would be going on 7 and the other would be going on 2 months. But I don’t look back at my decision with regret. I am so happy I was able to choose and I am so happy that when I decide to have children, that they will be wanted.”
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“The next year, and after failed birth control, I found I was again pregnant. I quickly made an appointment at the same clinic and they saw me 2 days after. Apparently, I was too early to detect any pregnancy, so I had to wait 2 weeks for my next appointment. Here I am once again!“
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“My first was in New York in the early ’90s, when I was 24, at a clinic. It took a whole day, during which I was herded around to a series of freezing rooms with a fairly large group of women — maybe 15 of us — in these absurdly short robes they’d given us to wear. When sitting or walking, I had to hold mine down with two hands. “Yes, Miss, please, how do we get this thing to cover our hoo-has?” one of the women in my group shouted out to one of our handlers. As they put me under — abortions accompanied by general anesthesia are called “twilight” — I was still giggling about the hoo-ha joke.”
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“I feel I made the right choice even though it is emotionally and physically painful. I have never regretted my first abortion either. I need to get myself to a point where I can be a wonderful parent. I'm not there yet. To any of the women out there thinking about abortion, only you know if the choice is right for you.” Click the green title to see the whole story.
“Years later, when her son was 6 years old, Allen’s partner had a vasectomy. She said she didn’t realize that for some time after a vasectomy it is still possible to get pregnant. She was too old to have another baby and not financially prepared, she said.” Click the green title to see the whole story.
“I no longer carry shame for my abortions because I know the hatred comes from misinformation. I know I made the right choices for myself and my body. I’m a mother, and I love my babies dearly. I’m a human who has sought out medical care when I needed it. By doing so, I’ve had two abortions. After the second, I realized with certainty that abortion is reproductive health care. “ Click the green title to read more.
“I have two children and I’ve had two abortions. I am deeply grateful for my children and enraged that my abortions would be anyone’s business — not because I’m ashamed, or regretful, or even feel that it’s especially private — no more so than any other medical procedure — but because for me it’s just not an interesting, important fact of who I am.” Click the green title to read more.
“I’ve been pregnant six times in my life. I have three children. I had one miscarriage and I’ve had two abortions. Four of my pregnancies have been unintended and I was using birth control with all of them. I joke with people that I’m very fertile and I tell men now when I’m in a sexual relationship with them that I get pregnant very easily. Like you could walk by me and look at me the wrong way and — poof! — I’m pregnant. And that actually is not that far from the truth.” Listen to the whole podcast episode.
“Six months later I was pregnant again. This time a condom had broke. I had gone to the OB clinic in my small town. The morning after pill was still very new. It cost 75$ that I did not have. The nurse gave me birth control pills and instructed me to take many more than was normal thinking it would work like the morning after pill. I also researched abortifacient herbs and tried that. I was still pregnant.” Click the green title to read more.
“I am bitter as I see the pictures of their kids—these old partners of mine. They were never called sluts online or in person. They never suffered any consequences. I would just appreciate an apology, an acknowledgement—freely given of what that wrought, their role in it, how they behaved, and what they should have been—which was much much better men than they were.” Click the green title to read more.
“He didn't want it so I made up my mind but felt as if I wasn’t really present. I went through it on my own and didn't tell anyone.” Click the green title to read more.
“The first was pre-Roe when I was 16 and there was no legal access to abortion in the US. I had to travel to Puerto Rico where it wasn’t legal but where it was easier to obtain a safe illegal abortion. Long difficult process.” Click the green title to read more.
“Me, a lifelong Christian, living in ultra conservative, small town USA, surrounded by people who think abortions are the work of the devil, had two and never told a soul. I didn’t take time off work and carried on.” Click the green title to read more.
“Before I was completely affected by the sedation, my nurse grabbed my hand and smiled at me and that made everything great because I wanted my mom there so bad.” Click the green title to read more.
“Every one of these experiences, these disorienting and oddly empowering womb-moments, has emboldened me to speak plainly and shamelessly, to speak openly about what happens - in our hearts & in our communities - when we are shamed and herded into a dark corner regarding our reproductive decisions. about how much overall damage is done when they snatch away the sovereignty we deserve to have over our own bodies.” Click the green title to read more.
“Never wanted children, but had healthy, heterosexual relationships. Was a great pill taker; then my gyn told me women need to 'give their bodies a break,' that I shouldn't stay on the pill for a long time, and took me off it.” Click the green title to read more.
“He explained he would not be helping me pay for the abortion, so I had to reschedule my appointment for the day I get paid and deal with being pregnant an additional week and a half.” Click the green title to read more.
