Apr 19 Apr 19 "My abortions were with medicines, by myself." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, South Africa “My situation at the time was complicated by financial issues, getting my education, my age, problems with my relationship. Also, I have one son already so I can’t have another baby. With my first abortion, people were supportive, and the second one was my secret.” Read more.
Apr 19 Apr 19 "No woman should ever have to justify a decision on her own body." Sharing Truth 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.
Apr 19 Apr 19 "I felt no guilt or shame about either and would do it again if necessary." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Australia “The abortions were in a clinic and were as positive as any surgery can be. My situation at the time was that I didn’t want children. I don't want to have children for the simple reason that I just don't want to.” Read more.
Apr 15 Apr 15 "I guess my approach to each of them has been totally different — my feelings and my reactions." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Cuba “I was so naive. I told my mom, "You know. I haven't had my period in a while now. I don't know what's happening." Of course she didn't know I was having relationships, so when the doctor told her, "You are going to be a grandma," my mom looked at me and she was like, "Oh my god. What is going on here?" She did not talk to me for a couple of weeks. She was so upset with me.” Read more.
Apr 14 Apr 14 "Estoy bien, segura de mi decisión y en paz." -- "I am fine, sure of my decision and at peace." Sharing Truth 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.
Apr 6 Apr 6 "We went to the doctor only to learn that a medication I take every day causes birth defects." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, Location Unknown “It wrecked me emotionally. It was also more physically taxing than I had remembered. We are still recovering. Maybe one day we’ll actively try, maybe not. In spite of this pain and emotional chaos, I am so grateful that I’ve had access to safe and legal surgical abortion in my times of need.” Read more.
Apr 2 Apr 2 "I feel guilty, but also not guilty, because I was responsible and did everything to avoid it. " Sharing Truth 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.
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.
Mar 28 Mar 28 "I will, and do, speak about them to anyone who asks, with ZERO shame as it is NOTHING to feel shameful about." Sharing Truth Multiple Abortions, Michigan, U.S. “So more than once, a microscopic clump of parasitic cells attached to my uterine wall. I didn’t freak out, I happily and simply had it removed with very little discomfort. The procedure is relatively quick and virtually painless.” Read more.
Mar 23 Mar 23 "At first I was excited about becoming a mother but later realized I cannot afford to take care of a baby at that time as both of us were not working and that would mean burdening my mother." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Zimbabwe “My boyfriend was there and he was very supportive, but I resented him leading to our break up because at one point he told me I killed his child. In April 2019 I fell pregnant, but I was on the pill and it came as a surprise largely because I was being safe from the first pregnancy up to that time. I was so scared of falling pregnant again since the first abortion took a toll on me and it took time for me to recover from bitterness and to forgive myself.” Read more.
Mar 14 Mar 14 "There wasn’t a lot of drama, just an ordinary story." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Location Unknown “I had three abortions, one when I was 18 and it was still illegal, one when I was 24, and the last one when I was 29. By that time I wanted a child but felt that my then partner would be a disaster as a father and I didn’t want to be a single mother. Eventually I met the right man and had a wonderful daughter.” Read more.
Mar 12 Mar 12 "Considering our society's lack of support for pregnant women, especially single, unstable, poor ones, imagining that motherhood would have turned me into a model citizen is magical thinking." Sharing Truth Six Abortions, California, U.S. “In my 20s, I had 6 abortions in 7 years. I got pregnant while using condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and the sponge. Furious, I had my tubes tied, and even then I got pregnant once more. I felt I owed it to society not to burden the world with more people like myself - traumatized by a bad childhood that no amount of therapy seemed able to fix.” Read more.
Mar 6 Mar 6 "I was far from able to care for a child." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, California, U.S. “My second: Married, with one child, pregnant finally with my second child. At the 16 week scan, we were told the baby had anencephaly and would not survive. I was devastated, but I had no regrets about the abortion, only about it being necessary.” Read more.
Feb 28 Feb 28 "This time is different, because I have chosen not to hide the actuality of what is going on in my body. " Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Location Unknown “I do not feel ashamed to admit that I am pregnant. I do not feel ashamed to say that I am going to have an abortion. Part of me worries whether or not they will think of me differently for it, and quite frankly that anxiety was what was keeping me from realizing that I was letting myself be blinded by them. But their opinions are not mine to harbor. I give myself the freedom to choose abortion and to always do what is best for me. I have an appointment scheduled a week from today, and while I still let myself wonder what it would be like to continue the pregnancy, I remind myself that there is still time for me to have a child in the future. This is the definition of family planning.” Read More.
Feb 25 Feb 25 "The idea of never living for myself and just dealing with perpetual poverty was incredibly depressing." Sharing Truth Three Abortions, Location Unknown “I have a long and complicated medical history, much of it centered around my uterus. I've been labelled infertile, and been declared fertile again. I've been pregnant seven times despite all of this, with one living child, who took me years to conceive and carry. Because of my ongoing problems and the insane ability to get pregnant even on several forms of birth control (each terminated pregnancy happened despite being on the pill, condoms, and/or spermicide), this was my last straw. I'm getting sterilized. Read more.
Feb 19 Feb 19 "I was 16 and just found out I was pregnant, I had my whole life ahead of me." Sharing Truth 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.
Feb 12 Feb 12 "I don’t feel like I’d be able to handle having another child." Sharing Truth Four Abortions, Location Unknown “So I recently went out of town with my boyfriend to celebrate my birthday. Things got a little out of hand (consumed a ton of alcohol) and obviously protection wasn’t used. I am now fearing a pregnancy scare and I’ve already made a decision that if I am pregnant that I will terminate. This will be my 4th termination and I honestly feel a little guilty and irresponsible but I’ve tried all birth control methods and I honestly can’t keep up with any of them.” Read more.
Feb 9 Feb 9 "I wish there was a way out of this situation." Sharing Truth Four Abortions, U.S. “I was struggling financially and hadn't been able to afford an OB GYN visit or the gas money to get to Planned Parenthood to get a cheap birth control consultation. So we were using condoms, and it broke. I had another abortion, even though I didn't want to, because my partner thought it was truly the best choice.” Read more.
Feb 5 Feb 5 "I kept all of these experiences to myself until now." Sharing Truth Five Abortions, Location Unknown “In February of 2014, I became pregnant with the same boyfriend. We were technically broken up at this time, but just like in any toxic relationship, I was stuck in a loop with him. I knew I didn’t want to be with him; he had put me through so much mental abuse, cheated on me, humiliated me in front of so many people & constantly talked down to me. Having his baby felt absurd.” Read more.
Jan 29 Jan 29 "I want to share my experience of having a medication abortion, compared to a surgical abortion I had 5 years ago." Sharing Truth Two Abortions, U.K. “I'd also like to say that my second pregnancy was due to failed contraception. I had the Mirena coil fitted, which was still in place at the time I found out I was pregnant, so even when you're being as responsible as possible, pregnancy can still happen and you can't beat yourself up about it. “ Read More.
