I had my first abortion when I was 18 years old. I was on birth control, but it obviously wasn't enough. The day I missed my period I took a pregnancy test. The second I saw two blue lines, I called the nearest abortion clinic. I thankfully lived in a state where at the time there was no 24 hour waiting period. I got in that same afternoon around 2 pm. My pregnancy was so early one of the tests were still negative, I didn't care how early. I wanted it done that day! I couldn't even think straight knowing I was pregnant. As soon as it was over, I was overcome with relief.
My second abortion was when I was 20. I was dating a guy for some time when I found out I was pregnant. He wanted us to keep the child, so that is what we planned. A few months later he was gone, so I decided to have an abortion. I didn't want to raise a baby on my own, especially when I wasn't sure if I wanted it in the first place. The guy was pretty convincing in reassuring everything would be fine if we kept it. By this time I was 18 weeks. And again thankfully there are clinics near where I live that I could have the abortion. I don't remember much about the second abortion, because I was sedated. But I don't ever think about it either. Not because I am sad or depressed about it, but I just don't look back. I am not ashamed of what I did, I don't feel bad or guilty and I would not have the life I have now if I had those two babies.
I am now 24 years old. I am very happily married and the mother of a little girl who will turn one this June. You heard right--after two abortions I had a healthy pregnancy with no complications. I don't hate babies, and I always knew I wanted to be a mother someday ... just not at those two other times in my life. Oh, I forgot to mention, I also work at an abortion clinic. I like being able to share my story with patients who are in the same situations I was.
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