Maree

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It was sad but necessary

2006 Australia

I cried for months on end. To this day, I feel sad and at the time I felt terrible religious guilt. It was a silly contraceptive error and if I'd never been pregnant, I would have been happy not to ever get pregnant. It's good now though, to write about my abortion without judgement. Before the abortion I thought "I could never do that". But, Even though I hated doing it, I'm eternally greatful abortion was safe, legal and affordable. I would have brought an unwanted child into a life of poverty. It would have been an only child as well. I grew up on a bad family and the last thing I wanted to do was bring someone else up on a bad situation. The whole experience really woke me up - I could never again judge others for making mistakes or getting into trouble - and no matter what decision a woman makes I could never ever judge her. My one suggestion to others would be: don't freak out like I did - get the counselling if you want it before you go ahead with the abortion.

We were young, old, fat, thin, rough, posh, alone or with sad looking partners - all of us were on a compassionately managed conveyor belt through the clinic. It was efficient and sad. I wish now I'd booked in for the counselling they offered me but inward in such a blind panic that I just wanted it over with.

I was so trapped - no family support, 3 month old relationship, contract at horrible employer about to end, too old really to have a 1st child, and no house of my own. And the father did not want it. It was a terrible time.

Did the illegality of your abortion affect your feelings?

No.

How did other people react to your abortion?

My partner with relief - he never wanted it; Some friends were great, they were kind and understanding; Other people judged me - friendships ended.

Han

Don’t confuse ‘what ifs’ with regret.

Mary

I can now carry on with life.

Miriam

The 10 weeks I was pregnant were the happiest weeks of my life. My husband

Angela

Pregnancy and abortion - what a trip.

alessandra

I had an abortion

Bobbie

The first time I was too young the next I was old enough to know I had no right…

Jillybean

Women's bodies belong only to us. Men, families, society, have no right to…

María

Proceso duro,

Atenea

No eres la única. No estás sola. Transformalo en algo positivo para tu vida.

Alice

Nunca imaginei que tomaria essa decisão, mas foi melhor no momento...

Meg

My abortion was NOT THAT PAINFUL. Don't believe in the horror stories!

Evelyn

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

P

...Lo quería pero no podía

Mari

Fiz a melhor escolha.

Alexa

Ojala alguna vez me perdones... pero fue. La mejor decisión..