Ashley Engbrecht

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At the young age of 17, I was the victim of sexual assault. There is nothing more terrifying than someone taking your control from you in the most viscious way possible. As a result of this incident, I became pregnant. I was so ashamed and full of fear, as I didn't want this for myself or ask for it in any way. I didn't tell anyone but my mother. I didn't tell anyone as I feared backlash from friends who were clearly against it, but I knew what was right for me, and it was not to graduate high school carrying a child of rape. I was able to receive access to misoprostol at a planned parenthood facility. Two days later I miscarried in the most painful event I've ever experienced. My mother rushed me to the hospital to receive treatment. The judgement and negativity I received from certain nurses was almost unbearable, I am glad I was doped up on morphine for most of the night. All I felt from then on was shame.. Am I monster? I am now 23 years old and I look back, healed but scarred, and see what I have accomplished, who I've become, and who I will be because I had the opportunity and choice to change my destiny. I wasn't destined to be a mother at 17. Many times after my experience I had friends go through the same thing. Only then did I share my story for the first time and realize I wasn't alone. What I did should not be shamed. I will graduate from college in May and start graduate school for Early Childhood Education in the fall.

2010 United States

I felt so many different feelings at once. I was confident in my decision but I've never felt anything so heart wrenching in my life. It was still I tough choice, but one I am glad I made.

Painful, but I believe the pain I experienced is not common. I had no complications following the process.

How did other people react to your abortion?

I have kept it very much a secret. I have only told people who I knew would be supportive, as I feared ridicule. 6 years after the abortion, I finally told my father. He was very compassionate and supportive, which surprised me with his conservative views. Many of my family and friends to this day do not know.

Sharon

I don't regret my abortion.

Virginie

À 32 ans, j'ai avorté parce que ce n'était pas le bon moment.

Vanessa

yo conoci a los 14 años a un vigilante que trabajaba donde mi mama el era super…

Bee

I felt very guilty but relieved . I was way too young to be a mother.

Monoirmarie

Yo aborté porque es mi derecho

Priscilla Silva

Oi, bom é tanta coisa pra falar ... mas vamos lá! Abortei em Março dia 17

Lindseymae Mckay

My name is Lindseymae McKay. I will be 32 years old next week. I have a 6 year…

Lucie

I had more than one abortions. I made the choices because I care about the…

carolina

Interrumpi mi embarazo de un mes y medio

Aga... ta...(?)

zastanawiam się jak to przeżycie i fakt co zrobiałam wpłynie na dalsze moje…

Rocio Rocio

14 semanas

Chinchulina

I come from a country where abortion is legal but due to my personal…

Liz Hoffman

Passando pra deixar meu relato, pois sei que vai ajudar muitas mulheres que…

mery elizabeth

tomando la decisión de mi vida

Anne Jellinek

I had two abortions in my life: one when I was 21 and newly married and one 8…

~ Energia divina en la mujer ~

Yo decidí abortar : Cuando tuve conocimiento que me encontraba en estado de…

Anonimowa

Dwie kreski...Te dwie czerwone kreski na białym papierku były jak kubeł zimnej…

María

Jamás sabré si fue la mejor decisión, jamás lo podré conocer, pero en este…