Oct 23 Oct 23 "It was the gift of abortion that helped us plan our family." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Oklahoma, U.S., Men's Experiences, Partner Experience “Love and kindness to all the women who have had an abortion or will have an abortion. I am a 38 year old male, and I have been married for 16 years now to a lovely woman, and we ourselves have chosen abortion on two different occasions.” Read more.
Oct 22 Oct 22 "These stories gave me the courage on doing what I know is the best choice." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Oregon, U.S. “I primarily had my daughter because I could not fathom the idea of having a second abortion, and I don't in any way regret having her, but I felt like I was trapped when I was pregnant for that second time. So here I am, age 23, and as of right now I am currently 7 weeks pregnant. My THIRD pregnancy, and I am BEYOND FREAKED about having a SECOND child.” Read more.
Oct 15 Oct 15 Podcast ~ "Being entangled with this person forever was not what I wanted." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Florida, North Carolina, U.S., Audio “He said he had two previous partners that he went through abortions with. So it was emotional for him as well. I found that challenging. We spoke a lot and it was messy. He had a temper and I don’t have patience for men who have tempers. I found myself shutting down. “ Listen.
Oct 14 Oct 14 "I am so glad I was able to choose instead of being forced into motherhood by circumstance." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, U.S. “Being a single parent has been sometimes unbearably hard, because we live in a society that chastises women for ending pregnancies but then does not support mothers at all. I struggle at every step to find decent education for my twins, to find healthy food, to find housing or childcare, to find Healthcare and to afford our meals.” Read more.
Oct 4 Oct 4 Podcast ~ "I was too young to understand that it's both a personal choice and a big deal." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Michigan, Louisiana, U.S., Audio Listen as Bess talks about her four pregnancy experiences — two abortions, one miscarriage and the birth her beloved daughter. She shares about how her experiences led her into a career in women’s healthcare so that she can support other women. “People are not talking about pregnancy, abortion, sexuality, and reproductive health,” she says, and the silence leads to fears and shame. Listen.
Sep 24 Sep 24 "I felt like the most relieved, blissful person in the world afterwards." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, U.S. “I do not regret a single thing. I would be pregnant with my 3rd child right now and that’s exhausting to even think about. I want to continue my education. I want to travel with my boyfriend. I promise that it’s not always feelings of grief and loss — although that’s okay — but more of a wake up call surrounded by relief and excitement for the future.” Read more.
Sep 9 Sep 9 "We've got daughters and I can't imagine ever forcing them to go through a pregnancy they don't want." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Missouri, U.S. “The 2nd time I had an abortion was when I was 30. Just last year actually. Me and my newly married husband already had 4 kids all together . Our youngest was 3 and I just mentally and physically couldn't handle another kid. Here I am now, 31. Close to a year since my last medication abortion and now I have to get another one. But this time I was taking my birth control EVERY DAY and i still got pregnant. I’m so mad. I was being so careful.” Read more.
Sep 8 Sep 8 "We both wanted to keep it, but with our financial situation we couldn't." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, U.S. “I was lied to by my ex one night where he said he didn't finish inside. Weeks later he kept insisting to take a test and I didn't know why. It came out positive. I was furious because he could've told me and I would've taken a plan B instead. I cried but I knew I was going to abort. I did not see myself being with him forever and he tricked me.” Read more.
Aug 5 Aug 5 "I knew that these were the best choices I could have made." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, New Jersey, U.S. “At the time, I suffered a lot of trauma from being bullied, therefore I searched for attention in male companionship, as some of us do. I allowed myself to give into his manipulation, which eventually led me to becoming pregnant because I trusted myself with him. I knew I could not keep the child, because if I had, it would have suffered. Two months after that abortion, I confided in a male best friend of three years. He lured me into his garage, which led to myself being raped.” Read more.
Jul 27 Jul 27 "I never pictured my life to be like this." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, California, U.S. “I didn’t imagine my second pregnancy to be another abortion. This is harder to deal and I feel really upset. I probably could have had this baby and been okay. But I don’t have any family to support me. My boyfriend was not excited or supportive.I just feel alone.” Read more.
Jul 23 Jul 23 "I kept reading on every single clinic’s website that 'abortion is never an easy decision.' Sometimes it is! " Sharing Truth Three Abortions, U.S. “After my third child was born and my husband and I agreed that our family was complete, I thought if I did get pregnant that I would have a hard time with the decision to terminate. I’ve always got baby fever! I had relatively easy pregnancies and births! I love the newborn phase!!! As soon as I saw that perpendicular line, any worries about being bummed went out the window. I was annoyed that I had to be dealing with this on top of everything else, but I firmly didn’t want to be pregnant right now, and didn’t want to add another to our family anyway.” Read more.
Jul 23 Jul 23 "My life is mine to dictate and I’m grateful that having access to abortion services has allowed me to do this." Sharing Truth Four Abortions, New York, U.S. “I remember reading only one story about a woman who had a medical abortion saying that if she had a positive experience she would share it and so that’s what I’ve decided to do. I’m sharing my story to let others know that it’s okay if you’re not ready to or don’t want to have a child. I’m sharing my story to let others know that a medical abortion for me was not as scary or painful as these other stories I had read about. I’m sharing my story to let others know that they are not alone in having more than one abortion.” Read more.
Jun 28 Jun 28 "I am the controller of my life and not a pawn in a political debate." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, U.S. “I think a true monster is someone who has a child and abandons it, leaving the child to feel damaged and discarded. I believe the current US regulations on legal abortion are an unnecessary burden to women based on price, time and loss of dignity. I feel that the government has more control over my body than I do. I truly grieve for the millions of women in other countries who do not have 1/100th of the freedoms that I have. I was sure and confident about all of my decisions.” Read more.
Jun 1 Jun 1 Podcast ~ "The decision to have an abortion was easy for me." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Ohio, Louisiana, U.S., Audio Listen as Amy tells of her two abortions. She explains that she was raised by a single mother who had two children at the age of 21. “It was always a struggle. I was clear — that was not going to be my path.” Listen.
May 9 May 9 "My abortions brought me joy and relief and sanity when I needed it most." Sharing Truth 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.
May 7 May 7 "Now? 34 weeks pregnant in a happy marriage and know what a disaster it would have been to keep either of my previous pregnancies." Sharing Truth 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.
May 6 May 6 Podcast ~ Listen to actor Alyssa Milano and artist Amanda Palmer talk about their experiences of having more than one abortion. Sharing Truth 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.
Apr 30 Apr 30 "A year to the day later, I got pregnant again. I had missed ONE pill." Sharing Truth 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.
Apr 28 Apr 28 "I just want to be able to have someone take me seriously when I say I don’t want to be a mother." Sharing Truth Four Abortions, U.S. “After my first abortion I saw several doctors to talk about my options. I had been on the depo shot, but I had adverse effects and had to stop getting it. I wanted to talk about sterilization, of course I was ignored. I was made to believe I just wasn’t old enough to know, that I would change my mind, and 7 years, and 3 abortions later my mind has never wavered.” Read more.
Mar 31 Mar 31 "I was in a relationship with an abusive man who I knew was bad, but I felt trapped and desperately wanted his love." Sharing Truth Five Abortions, Florida, U.S. “I didn’t even consider keeping the baby. He already had 4 children he didn’t take care of, and I just wasn’t ready. I went to planned parenthood for the procedure. I was poor at the time and didn’t have the money for the anesthesia. I was 8 weeks. I was so scared the whole time I could barely stop myself from shaking. The second time I got pregnant I again knew I wanted an abortion, I was 20 or 21. Same man, and I was less than 10 weeks. Again, I went to planned parenthood, again couldn’t pay for the anesthesia. This time I didn’t want to go to the same location in fear of being judged.” Read more.
