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 am a mother of two young children, and I have cervical cancer. I was taking birth control pills as directed, and never missed a dose. I went to the clinic for my pre-op for cancer and was told that I was pregnant and couldn’t get the surgery I needed for my cancer. I need to be healthy and cancer-free for the two children I have.
— Submitted by Cierra* through a member clinic
I am a college student and a waitress, and both my parents have been laid off, so there’s no insurance. I could never afford the medical bills. It put a lot of stress on my fiancé and me as we knew we couldn’t afford to raise a child. We fought a lot more than usual. I contacted the clinic and went in for an informational visit. They made me feel right at home, and they and the Hotline helped me more than they could know—they saved my relationship, my career, and my life. Thank you so much!
–Submitted by Helen* through a member clinic
–*Names changed to protect patient privacy