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.

Alejandra

Tomé una desición

Luna

Aún grito perdón

Claudiagyn

Aconteceu comigo.

Emilamontreal

J'ai avorté suite à ma grossesse arrêtée à 8 semaines

Kiara

Lo hice por amor al bebé, no me merecía como mamá.

Yasmin Lara

Bom,eu encontrei vários relatos e quis deixar o meu bom eu tenho só 17 anos e…

Layla Sesey

I had an abortion when i was 19 yrs . I last saw my period in December till…

keira

Chcę mieć kontrolę. Zrobiłam to i NIE ŻAŁUJĘ.

Wzięłam pierwszą tabletkę, czułam…

Andy

Decidí sobre mi futuro.

Raquel

Perdón a mis angelitos!

Hattie Ladd

I have had two abortions. The first one was when I was 20 and the second when I…

Zoe

I had an abortion. It was a stressful time, I am glad it is all behind me. My…

C. Ferreira

Pior dia da minha vida

Laura Helena

Olá meninas , me chamo Laura , tenho 21 anos ,uma filha linda de 2 aninhos e…

Tlhogi Tshegofaso

I did it when I was 4 weeks. Its was tremendously painful and horrific. The…

Evelyn

I discovered I was pregnant. It was about 5 weeks and 4 days old. I did an…

Bee

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

A alexandra

Mi futuro, mi familia