Abortion Stories
These stories have been shared by our patients, employees, friends, and supporters. Please read and consider sharing your own abortion story. Bit by bit, we will build a truer, more nuanced, more compassionate picture of abortion.
Informed Decision
"My boyfriend (who is still with me and still amazing) and I had discussed what we would do if this were to ever happen (unplanned, anyway) ahead of time, so when I saw a positive pregnancy test (despite birth control), I knew exactly what I was going to do. We are both college students (albeit older ones—I'm 26 and he is 29) and I already have one child. Neither of us had the time required to raise a baby without at least one of us dropping out of school (we're both very close to being done). In addition, neither of us were sure if we even wanted anymore children. As planned, I made an appointment at Preterm and had a very, very early abortion at just 5 weeks and 2 days gestation.
My abortion was on a religious holiday, so there were a lot of protesters outside. It was scary being yelled at—but I'm an educated woman, and I was already staunchly pro-choice before my abortion. The protesters didn't faze me: They disgusted me. 'How can people who have no idea what is going on in my and other women's lives be so non-compassionate? They claim to be Christians, but they certainly don't act like they are,' I thought.
My abortion (and counseling appointment) went smoothly and the staff at Preterm were amazing. I see all these news stories about laws in other states requiring women to view ultrasounds, hear a description of the embryo/fetus, etc. Preterm offered all of that without hesitation, even though some of it may not be required by law. Opponents of abortion often say that abortion clinics try to trick women into abortion, but this is simply untrue. I was given ample opportunity to be informed about the decision I was making, including information on fetal development—the ultrasound tech even offered me a print out of my ultrasound! There was no stone left unturned at Preterm—they truly care for women, and they truly cared for me." — LeeAnn, a Preterm Patient.
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A Family Doctor's Perspective
"I am a family doctor in Maine. A patient of mine whom I'd been taking care of for a couple months came to me for birth control, and we'd quick-started her on depo. However, the pregnancy test was never repeated until a few months later when she'd returned for her next depo shot and was complaining of pregnancy-like symptoms. The pregnancy test was positive.
It was the worst time for her to get pregnant; she had other medical issues that were her priority to fix and that would have been made more complicated by carrying a pregnancy to term. She lived in her rather stern father's home at the time, due to lack of income or any other place to live, and she knew her family would strongly disapprove if she kept the pregnancy, and she risked getting kicked out of the house if she kept the pregnancy. There was no question in her mind. She knew it was the wrong time to have a child, for so many reasons.
I set her up for an urgent ultrasound, and we found out she was 2 days too late to have an abortion in the state of Maine. I referred her to an abortion clinic in New Hampshire, which was her next closest option. She went a few days later, and was able to get her abortion. If she'd waited even a week longer, she wouldn't have been able to even go to New Hampshire.
I saw her a week or two after the abortion, and gave her a big hug.
I know she would have rather not gotten pregnant at all, but she made the best of a tough situation. She felt relieved and comfortable with her decision. She restarted depo, making sure to use back-up initially, and we repeated a pregnancy test 1 month in. She's now been happily not pregnant for almost a year and is working hard to get herself healthy and independent." — an allied provider (contributed through our Share Your Story form)
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I Am Going to Make Sure We Make It Through
"Well, I guess it would start years ago when I had my first child at 16 years old, and right after that I got knocked up again and I had to handle it, but I was late having the abortion. The older I got, I told myself I would never do that again. It haunted me. I promised God I wouldn't have another abortion. And from that promise I made, I birthed four more children to the world back to back. My last one, who is eight months old, took a lot out of me and I can't go through that again. I fell into a depression. I'm a single mother. I mean, their father is there, but I do everything-I even do his job. With each kid that has gotten harder and harder to do. This decision, to have an abortion again now, was hard, but it would be wrong to add another person into this situation. I can't take any more away from the children I have. I mean, everyone is eating just fine now, but to add another mouth ... who would be willing to share? And why should my decision become a part of their stress? I can't do that to them. We barely made it through the last time. I'm going to make sure we make it through this time.
I'm glad that a woman like me has a choice and that there are people willing to carry some of this weight with me. I thank you. You gave all 5 of my children a choice too. This is a chance to control something that might have gone out of control." — Shawna, a Preterm patient
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Heavy Exercise
"In the 60s when I was in high school, my best friend became pregnant. The only person she told was her mother, a woman with mental health problems and no money. All her mother could do was share some folk remedies and advise her to 'do heavy exercise and you'll lose the baby.'
Years later, my friend told me she followed her mother's advice. Moving furniture and turning mattresses was part of the therapy. As predicted, the following morning she began to bleed. She decided not to go the emergency room immediately because she wanted to be sure she would lose the baby. While, waiting, she went to the movies and sat through two shows with blood soaking into towels. When she was sure that enough time/blood passed, she went to the hospital. By the time she got there, my friend was so weak she had to be hospitalized.
I have had the privilege of volunteering and then working at Planned Parenthood. Every day I was grateful that there is safe and legal help for any young girl who might be in a situation similar to my friend's. Today I would like to thank Preterm for everything you do." — a Preterm supporter
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You Are Strong
“I am 20 years old and a junior in college and 5 weeks pregnant. I can't believe this is all happening and I cannot believe I am here. But I am and have a hard reality to face. My boyfriend is younger than me and neither of us are ready to be parents (although I guess we already are in a way). I believed in other women’s choices, just never thought I’d be making this choice. I wanted to cry for joy when I first got pregnant, but it didn’t happen that way. I guess it didn’t happen that way for a lot of us. I can hardly afford college and bills right now and my baby deserves the best, something I can’t give right now. Life means so much more than breathing, it means the world, and I don’t have the world to give my baby. Each or our stories are different but we each share something, and it is this: ALWAYS LOVE YOURSELF – YOU ARE STRONG." — a Preterm patient
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First Step to Freedom
"I am here to break away from an abusive boyfriend I've known for 7 yrs tomorrow. We have a 4-yr-old who I brought up mostly alone. I tried so hard to make this relationship work. But I realize living with someone who abused me mentally, emotionally & physically was not right for myself or for any children. When I’m done today, it’ll be the first step to freedom, and being me again!
Thank you for special friends who support me, and guide me to a new beginning.
I want children, but for the right reasons, & the right man!” — a Preterm patient
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