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 don’t know where to begin or start. This is a blessing to me as a single mother of two that was just laid off of work with no income at the time. I am so happy that the Hotline wants to help women. Thank you oh so much for the help and support!
–submitted by Kate* through a member clinic
When I was 22 years old, I was in an abusive relationship and already had a two-year-old daughter. I was working two jobs just to make ends meet without help from my parents, when I found out I was pregnant again. I had taken precautions and was on the birth control pill at the time. When I went to my boyfriend and told him, his reaction was not a positive one. His family was very anti-choice and knew I could not go to them for help. My mother and grandparents gave me the money to terminate my pregnancy; I knew if I did not, I was never going to be able to get out of the current relationship that I was in. After that, I was able to return to college, where I finished my nursing degree. I became a nurse, went to work at the same clinic that had helped me, and was able to help many other women in my same situation.
–submitted by Melissa* through our website
*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy