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 was 27 and became pregnant as a result of a broken condom. I was relocating with no family support around me and had little money. The decision to have an abortion was not one I took lightly, but it wasn't the right time or situation to bring a child into the world.

Women do not make these decisions lightly; but it is our decision to make, and that is why I am pro-choice. We need to be informed, and have access to counseling and safe procedures.

--submitted by Suzanne* via our website


I have two kids at home and with another child, I wouldn’t be able to provide for them or give them the attention that they need and deserve. I am now going back to school and working part time, which I couldn’t do if I had to start preparing for a another child. I appreciate the chance to better my life. If you can’t take care of yourself, how can you provide for anyone else?

--submitted by Belinda* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

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 26 years old, I have four children, and I’m in school. My partner just left me after we found out about the pregnancy. We already have one child together and he is not helping me at all. I’m being evicted and I have to get a second job in order to find a new home. If I were to continue with my pregnancy, my children and I would have nowhere to stay. Even though this is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, I thank you for the support and assistance.

--submitted by Trista* through a member clinic


I am currently unemployed and have no health insurance. If your organization wasn’t there for me, I don’t know what I would have done. My pregnancy was definitely unplanned. My boyfriend and I both agreed that right now would not be the best time to bring a child into the world. The NAF clinic helped me understand my options, and I am grateful for their understanding and non-judgmental advice. Thank you for understanding my situation.

--submitted by Brooke* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

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'm a 21-year-old single mother of two, and without this decision I would more than likely have had to drop out of college to take care of my children. I feel that women have rights and should not be judged for their decisions.

--submitted by Alicia* through a member clinic


I had a surgical abortion in April. When I discovered I was pregnant, I visited a Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC). When I walked in, I was greeted warmly. They gave me a free ultrasound and seemed sweet and supportive. Then came the counseling session, during which I asked to be excused several times, and was told each time it was mandatory since they had given me an ultrasound for free. When I informed them of my decision to have an abortion, I was forced to watch a graphic video. I was suffering from morning sickness and I had to run out to vomit several times. They told me these were the consequences of sin. They warned me my fiance would never be able to look at me as anything other than the woman who killed his first child. I'll never forget the way I felt leaving the Crisis Pregnancy Center that day.

I later visited a reputable abortion provider. My state required my provider to warn me about the supposed physical and psychological effects of abortion. I felt no shame, guilt, or depression resulting from my abortion. However, the CPC I visited brought me untold shame, stress, and confusion. My state legislators should have saved their mandated warning for the CPC.

--submitted by Joanna* via our website

>Learn more about Crisis Pregnancy Centers.

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

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 homeless with three kids already. I do not want to have another child without being able to care and provide for it.

--submitted by Alyssa* through a member clinic


When I found out I was five weeks pregnant, I had been sick with persistent pneumonia for months and my lungs were at risk of collapsing. I had half of the red blood cells I should have had and I had taken antibiotics known to cause birth defects. My mother was dying of bone cancer at the time and I couldn't have helped her and cared for an infant. I was working two jobs and enrolled full-time in college.

My fiance and I agreed together that abortion was the best option, and I had a medical abortion. The only unwanted effect I had was cramping, and I was able to rest at home during the process; it was nothing like the horror stories some people would like you to believe.

It has been over five years since the procedure and I have had no complications, physically or phsychologically, as a result of the abortion. I love my life and do not regret my decision.

Of all the myths about abortion, the ones that anger me the most are about the women who have them. We are portrayed as promiscuous, unintelligent, selfish, weak or child-hating. Those who oppose abortion would like people to believe that women either can't make a good choice or don't even deserve one. Nothing could be further from the truth.

--submitted by Sophia* via our website

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

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 was raped while serving in the Army in Iraq. My rapist is in jail. I am engaged and will be married in two months. Thanks to your organization, I won’t have to start my new life raising a criminal’s child.

--submitted by Analise* through a member clinic


Three months ago, I was laid off from my job of six years. Right now the income I have coming in the house is only enough to support myself and my children. I am not financially or emotionally prepared to handle another child. I believe that having an abortion is the best decision for me because I would never want to bring a child into the world that I couldn’t completely love and provide for.

--submitted by Candice* through a member clinic

*Names changed to protect patient privacy

NAF Board Member Caitlin Borgmann, JD, is a featured guest columnist on the legal news and research site JURIST.

Borgmann writes that parental notification “laws like the one that will now be enforced in Illinois do nothing to help teenagers, while imposing traumatic hurdles, and sometimes grave danger, on those who lack loving and supportive parents to whom they can turn.”

While parents rightly want to be involved in the decisions of their teenage daughters, good family communication cannot be legislated. “Most states recognize that mandating parental involvement for sensitive medical treatment will have the hazardous drawback of deterring many minors from seeking care at all….Minors in most states can consent to services such as contraception, prenatal care, and treatment for sexually transmitted infection. In many states, minors can even relinquish their children for adoption and consent to medical care for their children. Parental involvement laws for abortion stand out as the glaring antithesis to this trend,” writes Borgmann.

>Read the full column here.