I had an abortion three days after my 23 birthday. I found out I was pregnant a week before. After two at home pregnancy tests came up positive I called Planned Parenthood and made an appointment for a test. I also called my mom and started crying. She said she would support me with my decision. For me abortion was the only option. I took time off from university to travel and wanted to go back to finish my education. I was working as a server at a restaurant and wasn't in a relationship with the father. There was a short period of time when I was off birth control and I got pregnant. I thought a lot about the kind of life I would want to offer a child and I wasn't ready financially or emotionally. I went to Planned Parenthood twice that week and at the second appointment, I found out I was too far along to have an abortion there, I would need to drive to a clinic and have a two day procedure. The nurse asked me if I still wanted to proceed with an abortion and I said I was sure. My mom and I rented a hotel room and she took me to each appointment. The staff at the clinic were all kind and supportive. The procedure was completed with no problems. The morning I had my abortion there was a woman who was holding up a graphic sign of an unborn baby and a pro-life sign standing by the road. I thought who is she to judge us? She doesn't know what is going on in our personal lives. My opinion was that it wouldn't be fair to bring a child into the world whose mother wasn't ready and wouldn't have a father. I made enough money to support myself, not another person at that time. I didn't think bringing a child into a world that is already full of people was very fair either. I couldn't imagine carrying a child full term and giving it up for adoption when there are plenty of children already waiting to be adopted. Having an abortion was the best thing I could have done. It is a woman's right to be in control of her body. Maybe the unborn baby's soul went back up to heaven, or wherever and will come back when the timing is right. No one really knows. I just know that decision gave me freedom to pursue my goals and make a life for myself. I want to be able to offer a child so much more then I ever could have then. I feel so fortunate to have wonderful parents and amazing friends who have been there with me through this difficult time.
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