My ex-husband was very abusive during our relationship. While we were still dating, he admitted to intentionally getting me pregnant in an attempt to secure the marriage and to get want he wanted, a child. I was only 20 years old at the time, in the middle of my college career and desperately not wanting a child, especially with this man. I was able to obtain a safe and legal abortion within weeks of knowing I was pregnant. The choice to have an abortion has made all the difference in my life. I may not have had the strength to leave my ex-husband if we had a child and it would have made finishing college a lot more difficult. I have been divorced from him for almost a year now and I am graduating soon with my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I am so proud to be a strong, single, and independent woman because of my freedom to choose! –Submitted by Jackson* through our website
I was rushed to the emergency room and diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. The tests also showed that I was pregnant. Because of the gravity of my illness and the situation that I found myself in, the decision to terminate this pregnancy was the best for my quality of life and that of my son.
–Submitted by Rayna* through a member clinic
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 feature 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.