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.

Ano ang reaksyon ng ibang tao sa iyong pagpapalaglag?

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.

Madison

Una lucha constante.

Luna

Fiz um aborto - E foi a melhor decisão que eu podia ter tomado para a minha…

Natália Sampaio

Abortei sim! Não foi fácil. foi um dos momentos mas difíceis da minha vida, mas…

Anonimowa

Dokonałam tego co jest zakazane w tym kraju. Nie czuję się winna.

Jedna z Tysiecy

Kiedy nie chcesz dziecka, i wiesz, ze tak musi byc.

gdy twoj ex partner z…

Claudiagyn

Aconteceu comigo.

Masha

This isn't my first abortion.... :'( My second one I am currently scheduled for.

Marie

I had an abortion. It's a choice I want available for every woman, for…

Jillybean

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

Alice

Bom, há algumas semanas eu já vinha desconfiando de uma gravidez, embora não…

Fallen Angel

I had the SAFEST ABORTION even in the PHILIPPINES through womenonweb.org.

Lucero Lucero

Creo que por fin tuve control de mi vida.

Lorena

Yo aborte por que decidí que no estaba lista para ser madre y por qué empiezo a…

Ania Kijawska

Mam dziecko, dom, męża zdecydowałam się na aborcję.

Julia

Uratowałam sobie życie

Cristina

No fue bueno pero fue lo mejor.

Hattie Ladd

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

Suzanne

I made the best decision for me

Mary

I can now carry on with life.