It provided relief to two long months of nausea, exhaustion, lack of appetite, and fluctuating moods… not to mention saved my life, my boyfriend’s, and my future children’s lives. When I discovered I was pregnant, I had one week left of my first year of law school. I had put off taking a pregnancy test (even though I knew something was very wrong with me physically) because I was in the midst of law school exams. I knew I could not bear a positive result in the chaos that is the end of the law school year. That is my only regret—not taking preemptive action sooner.

I researched the Internet, and I found 3 abortion clinics in my city. I called each of them and asked questions, the scoured the Internet even more about my various abortion options. I ultimately decided on the medical (pill-induced) abortion. My boyfriend set up the appointment with me, and we went to the clinic for my exam and to receive the pills that would cause me to miscarry. We waited to be called for two hours in the waiting room, but it was worth it. When I was finally called, very caring nurses explained the medical abortion procedure to me, and everything was handled professionally. When I had my sonogram, the nurse discovered I was further along that I anticipated. I thought I was six weeks pregnant; the sonogram showed me at 10 weeks pregnant. 10 weeks meant it was too late to have a medical abortion. I had to reschedule a surgical abortion for the following week.

At first, I was devastated at the thought of surgical abortion. But I soon realized that it would make the process quicker and pain-free, since I had the option of anesthesia (which I used). When I returned to the clinic the following week, I entered a surgical room, undressed from the waist down, and that’s the last I remember. In what seemed like seconds letter, the anesthesiologist was waking me up, and I was being helped to the restroom to change back into my clothes.

I sat in the “recovery room” for about 15 minutes with a heating pad, took some pills, and had a snack while gentle nurses took care of me. I had no physical pain at all. Much to my surprise, two girls sat on each side of me in chairs also, who had just had abortions too. We chatted, and one told me how she had driven to that clinic from another state, and how the guy who got her pregnant wouldn’t even come to the clinic with her. At that moment, I felt a surprising feeling…happiness. Not because the procedure was over. Not because I was lucky enough to have my boyfriend come with me. But because I realized that I would be strong enough to come on my own too. The doctors, nurses, and staff at the clinic made me feel empowered, unashamed, and responsible for my decision. The strength I felt that day, along with the camaraderie of the women sitting beside me, as we recovered from our abortions, was an unexpected feeling. Freedom of choice with fellow women.

I have no regrets. And I will never be sorry.