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.
Thanks to the Hotline for all of your help, without you it would have been impossible for me and my boyfriend to do this. I’m a mother of three, and my last two pregnancies were very hard on me and my babies. My last child was born 12 weeks early and spent three months of his life in the ICU. If I were to continue this pregnancy, it would be life or death for both me and my baby. Again, thank you very much.
–Submitted by Laurie* through a member clinic
I went to a crisis pregnancy center in Arlington, Texas. The web page said they were caring and understood everyone’s situation, and provided all services – abortion, adoption, and parenthood. It was a disaster. They made me watch a 15-minute video on how abortion is the worst option you have, that 50% of women who get an abortion get breast cancer and that 30% die within a year after an abortion. They had a rape victim who said she could forgive her rapist before she could forgive herself for what she did. Then the counselor came in and said I needed to pray with her, to the lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness in considering abortion as an option. She gave me numerous pamphlets about finding God, etc. She began to pray for my soul and tell me abortion wasn’t an option at their center, even though their web page made it seem like they were unbiased and open to whatever the woman chose. I felt so uncomfortable listening to her talk about how I needed to have the baby or God would punish me. She tore me down and made me cry and offered little help, only judgment.
I left in tears, in worse shape than when I had gone in. I was looking for a place that would be open to my idea about ending the pregnancy, and my reasons, and not someone who didn’t give me help and prayed for my soul the whole time. I’m still considering the abortion, but I don’t know where to go now and I don’t feel safe. How do I know I’m going somewhere that won’t treat me the same way? I’m so confused and even more scared now. Why are they allowed to post this image of understanding and options and then tell me I need to pray and make me watch a DVD and hand me pamphlets on how abortion is wrong and horrible and will kill you. This was an awful experience. I’m so scared to even ask anyone about it now, or go to another center.
–Submitted by Sadie* through our website
NOTE: Our Hotline was able to help Sadie find a reputable abortion provider in her area and she was able to obtain the care she needed.
*Names changed to protect patient privacy