This is the day I had an abortion. I always hated the word, the negative connotation surrounding it. I had to travel two hours away to have the procedure done and I was glad I did. My town has a clinic but it's very small and is always surrounded with protesters. I won't say that I tried really hard to use all the right protection, etc. I didn't. I'm a smart, attractive girl that is rational and always makes good decisions but for some reason I had had sex, without protection and never got pregnant, for awhile. So, being a matter of fact person I called the clinic, made an appointment, and told my mother. She and I have never been best friends but I had never seen her act so supportively for what I wanted to do. I drove the two hours, parked across the street and walked into the building where there was metal detectors and a guard who checked my purse. The lady sitting next to him gave me a slip of paper and told me to go upstairs. The clinic was clean but very fluorescent and sterile. There was a large waiting room and two windows. The waiting area was a weird mix of races, ages, and economic classes. I went to the first window and was told to go to the second. I was given paper work and told to bring it back. After sitting there for awhile, I realized the second window was the "abortion window". The other was for birth control and doctor appointments. I felt like everyone was staring and then I realized why should I care, they are all here in this building so they can't hate me. I was given a pregnancy test, checked for anemia, and had my temperature taken. Then I was sent back out to the lobby. A few minutes later a woman called me and took me to have an ultrasound. She asked cheerfully "If I see twins do you want to know that"? I told her bluntly, "I don't want to know anything". Then I was sent to the cashier and paid my fee. Everything after that happened very quickly. I was brought to the back and given only 800 milligram Ibuprofen. Then I was taken to a procedure room and undressed from the waist down. The first lady was a nurse, a friendly woman who never made it seem that I was preparing for an abortion. The next lady was a volunteer who looked like a doctor. She stood by me and held my hand the whole time and although I'm not usually for that, she made me feel so much better. I think it was that she was someone who looked like a grandmother and to know she was there not judging me but supporting me was relieving. The doctor was a young woman which surprised me a lot. She was not as friendly as everyone else but I really just wanted her to do her job and get it over with. The procedure took a total of 5 minutes, literally, with about 30 seconds of discomfort. It was not what television or protestors or anyone in the media makes it out to be. I was put in a wheelchair which I didn't need and put in a recliner with a heating pad for about 20 minutes. I was given antibiotics and sent home. I drove myself there and back with no problems. I will never be sorry I had an abortion.
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