Surgical (aspiration) abortion in the first trimester
7 weeks
I had my abortion or got my abortion pills from Planned Parenthood
What was the very first thought in your mind when that pregnancy test was positive?
I’m gonna be a parent.
Describe how you felt in the days after you realized you were pregnant.
Scared. Unprepared. I always thought I would be a parent but I thought it would be later in life.
What factors did you consider when making a choice?
How I wanted my family to look, what it was like to grow with a single parent. Did I want i connection forever with that person, who was a casual lover
My morning sickness was debilitating and unmanageable
Who was the most supportive or helpful person or resource during your choice-making process?
My mom
Who was the most supportive or helpful person in your life during and after your abortion?
My mom
Describe your overall abortion experience:
Fast. Easy. Relief.
I woke with an upset stomach.
My mom drove me. There were protestors. The office staff was welcoming. I got the sedation and most of the procedure is fuzzy. After the nausea was gone. So fast. I remember that I was finally ready for food.
What were your expectations of yourself and others?
I expected my friends to be supportive. They were not. My mom was my rock.
at the time of the abortion I felt sad but confident. Sad because I wanted more support, confident it was the right choice.
After the abortion I felt light. Making the choice made me realize what i absolutely did not want. It set me a path to find what I did want.
My mom was sad I had to make the choice. The doctor wanted me to get birth control so he wouldn’t ever see me again. My lover thought I was lying.
In what way did the choices you made meet your goals for yourself? Do you think the choices you made were aligned with your goals or were they different?
Yes. I wanted to know me, to have a partner before becoming a parent. I was not ready for parenthood.
What do you feel now, looking back on the event? If your feelings have changed, how have they changed and why do you think that is?
My confidence in my decision has only grown. I am who I am, and have the family I have, because I got to choose when was right for me.
I thought more people would be supportive. But I thought everyone was pro. But it was mostly just my house. Now I know I would have support. Both from my partner, friends and I would know to find a place with doulas.
I won’t let people make me feel bad for my choice. It propelled me into my life’s work. Supporting people.
What have you learned about your ability to make choices?
My gut is right.
Will you make the same choices in the future? What will you do differently? In what ways will you stay the same?
I’ll always try and trust myself.
I have a greater appreciation for the value of my own life.
I have more compassion for others.
I am more likely to try to change things that need changing.
I have stronger faith in myself.
I discovered that I’m stronger than I thought I was.
I learned a great deal about how wonderful people are.