I’ve had the privilege of living in states where abortion providers were easy to access and was so very lucky to be able to afford the $600-800 for each abortion I received.

No, I didn’t use abortion as birth control. I was just in several shitty circumstances in which I got pregnant, knew I wouldn’t be able to provide for this child if I carried to term nor would I be able to carry to term to give a child up for adoption and continue to work.

I always opted for the ‘twilight sedation’ aka light anesthesia and don’t remember much. At one clinic I visited in Chicago, if you choose anesthesia you have to have a companion to come with you, wait through the whole process then help you outside the doors of the Planned Parenthood.

I had no one. Literally NO ONE to accompany me. I put an ad on Craigslist and by some miracle a soft spoken, sweet woman answered and said she’d come with me. I remember she was so sad for me that I didn’t have a friend.  I just needed someone, anyone to sit in a waiting room. I offered money but she refused. I remember she was knitting when I came out. I went to get on the Redline but she paid for a cab to take me home. I never got her name.

Abortions are necessary for woman who chose to terminate because of a health issue or for a woman that’s a sex worker and needs one to keep working. It’s for everyone and it should be. ALWAYS.