When I was 17, just about to turn 18, my boyfriend (now my husband) and I had sex with a condom that was the incorrect size. We were young and uneducated on different types, and because of that, the condom broke. We didn’t think much about it because we were young and stupid. I turned 18 a couple weeks later and moved in with him and his family due to abuse I had been suffering from my own family, and I was essentially on my own from then on, and I was blessed to be accepted by his family. Shortly after, the pain started. Work became impossible because I couldn’t stand up straight because I was in so much pain. Of course, I was also nauseous, and a coworker suggested I take a pregnancy test. Positive. Now I’m panicking.

I’m 18, I live with my boyfriend’s family, I work a minimum wage job, and I have no clue why I’m in horrifying pain. My husband just tells me that he will support me no matter what decision I make. So I go into Planned Parenthood to figure out options. Get an ultrasound and blood work. I’m 10 weeks along and I’m in pain because my immune system has gone completely haywire and is killing the embryo and is attacking me along with it. At this point, so much damage is done to the embryo that there’s no saving it, and I’m not going to live past 12 weeks without it being removed. The Planned Parenthood I’m at doesn’t perform surgical abortions, so I’m referred to another clinic and an appointment is set for the next day. The next day, my husband and mother in law take me in and support me the whole way. The embryo is not recognizable as anything more than a chunk of scar tissue because of the damage my immune system has done at that point. After medication to get my immune system calmed back down and my body healed and back in order, I was able to recover and later have kids when we were ready. We now have two beautiful little girls who are our entire world. I have never felt any regret for getting my abortion, as it allowed me to have the future I have today. My girls wouldn’t exist if not for my abortion.