I had an abortion when I was a 20-year-old college student. I was living with my boyfriend and I was on birth control that failed. I chose to have an abortion for several reasons … I wasn’t ready to be a mother. I wanted to finish college. I came from an evangelical family that I was certain would force me to keep the baby so adoption wasn’t an option for me. My boyfriend and I couldn’t afford a child … we were the typical poor college students. This happened in Texas in 1989 — I simply called the clinic and made an appointment to go in for the pregnancy test and pre-procedure instructions. I went in a couple of days later for the procedure and I had one follow-up visit. That was it. Everyone at the clinic was caring and supportive … and there were no rabid protesters outside. It was no more dramatic than when I had my wisdom teeth removed (which was actually more painful). There were no complications. I was able to go back to my life and finish college. I eventually married my boyfriend and we had two beautiful and planned children. I have never regretted my decision. The only thing about my abortion that bothers me is what would have happened if I had not been able to make this choice for myself. My life would be vastly different and not in any good way. What’s happening now scares me because I have two daughters and I want them to be able to have the same choice I had … and I see that choice being taken away from them.
That’s my story.
Featured image by Julie Frontera
