Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.
I have always been pro-choice, but I never thought it would be a decision that I would personally make. I am 33 years old and married and we have two other healthy children. We planned this pregnancy and wanted this baby, but the thought of continuing a pregnancy for the child to know only pain is the worst thing I can think of. We are so thankful that we had the option to end the suffering, and that we did not have to travel to another state or just wait for the inevitable.
–submitted by Laura* through a member clinic
> Learn more about abortion and planned pregnancies.
When we found out my granddaughter was pregnant there wasn’t much time. She had to decide what she wanted to do. She’s 21 years old and on medication for depression. Her heart was broken. She said she wasn’t ready for a baby because she hadn’t found her place in life yet. It was very hard for her to make this choice but she feels it is the right one for her right now.
–submitted by Denise* through a member clinic
*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy