Gemma

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The best decision for me.

2015 United Kingdom

I am thankful to live in a country where I can exercise rights & choice over my body. I was in a position where I could not only decide to have an abortion, but it was actually accessible to me too.

Horrendous - my partner and I have been together since June 2014. I had been using The Copper IUD initially, however, it caused me numerous problems so I removed it. I decided to start using Natural Family Planning, for two reasons: to prevent pregnancy (we were both STI tested) and; to track my cycle (I was being investigated for Endometriosis). However, over a year in, I miss calculated and I ended up getting pregnant. My partner commented on my period being late, so a couple of days later I tested. It was positive. I was pregnant. I went to work. Overwhelmed. Not believing it. I took another test at lunch time. Still positive. Still pregnant. I went to the doctor, I tested again. Still positive. Still pregnant. I booked a termination there and then. I went home and told my partner. "I'm pregnant. I've booked an appointment at the clinic". The scan confirmed I was 4 weeks pregnant. I booked a medical for a week later. I went in for the first tablet and two days later for the second set. "It'll be like a heavy period" they said, "go home and rest they said." I went home. I rested. 36 hours later I was fitting on the floor, diarrhea, vomitting, pain, bleeding. An ambulance was called and I was taken into accident and emergency. I was given gas & air, codeine, diclofenac, morphine and a paracetamol & fluid drip. I was screaming in pain. Left on a gynae ward with (visibly) pregnant women - who assumed I was having a miscarriage - I had to suffer in pain. Scared, lonely and like I was to blame. The termination hadn't worked, and I had to wait for 3 days nil by mouth waiting for a D&C. I was eventually taken into surgery and the nightmare was neasr to ending. I woke up from my surgery, feeling lighter. Both physically & emotionally. I was fucking elated. I wanted to go home that night, be away from the judgement I felt and be in my own bed. I do not regret my abortion. Having my abortion was the absolute best decision for me. My partner. And the foteus. There is no way we are in a position to continue a pregnancy. I in no way regret my abortion, I regret the unfortunate circumstances in which it happened though.

How did other people react to your abortion?

Supportive

Willem Velthoven

I had several abortions. And children too!

Mandy Amanda

Hora de recomeçar

Margarita

Dicen que interrumpí una vida, yo siento que lo que hice fue continuar con la…

Abril Violeta

cuando tenía 24 años, recién terminaba la licenciatura, estaba desempleada, en…

Sunny

To była moja druga aborcja. Jak się okazało, była dużo łatwiejsza, z…

Joanna

Moje życie to moje wybory. / My life is my choices.

Sabine Ryan

It's not as bad as you think. Please read my story!

Jen

I had an abortion and I'm so pleased that I had that option. I was only 18…

L

My abortions defined my life choices for decades

María

Aborté y no me arrepiento. I do not regret my abortion.

Fernanda

Yo aborté y soy una chica libre

Pooh

Terminé mi embarazo

Mar Tina

Todo es muy reciente ... estoy recuperandome hace tan solo dos dias que sucedio.

Veronica

Yo aborté a las 5 semanas. Yo decidí.

Mariana Leitão

A tal história do “ engravidei por acidente” é real!

violet

Zdarzały mi się już wcześniej spóźnione okresy, które skutkowały paniką i…

Andrea

And it was just fine. I had just turned 20, and was living in a rented room in…