I had an abortion and I’m not afraid to say it.
Growing up in Texas I have always been surrounded by religious people supressing women. It’s been the norm that if I want something as a woman, I have to work twice as hard. This philosophy rang true during my abortion as well.
My fiancé and I had just called off our wedding due to the only true fight we’ve ever had. Not knowing what was going on with us I felt scared and vulnerable. I met a guy at work and became friends with him. I drank a little too much and ultimately slept with this new friend. It did not feel consensual, I felt violated.
My fiancé and I got back together the following week and worked on our relationship. Everything was better than ever before. I remember waking up and feeling this weird nauseous feeling. I knew I was pregnant, my body felt off even though I took birth control every morning. The test confirmed it. Because of the timing I had no clue as to who was the father, the uncertainty was a gnawing feeling I couldn’t handle.
There was no where in Texas for me to turn to, so I drove 320 miles outside of Texas to get a surgical abortion at around 10 weeks. The women there were so amazing and didn’t make me feel guilty. They supported me and the process was so easy, it didn’t hurt just slight cramping.
Just like that relief flooded in, the worrying was gone. I thought I would feel guilty, but honestly it has been an eye-opening experience for me. I will always be Pro-choice and it needs to become easier for women. Pregnancy is not always the right choice.
