Back in the 70’s I didn’t know how to get birth control pills. Actually, never thought much about it. Condoms? Everyone was too embarrassed to buy those. AIDS and STD’s I never heard of that either. I just lived in a different time.

Withdrawal was the method of choice. But one evening when I felt the time was right to know what “it” really felt like, I asked him not to withdraw. Within a month, my breasts were getting larger, and later my Mother would tell me she started to notice that there were no sanitary napkins in the trashcan.

His sister and I ventured to Planned Parenthood. I gave a sample and before long out in the waiting room I was hearing my name being called. The door to the counseling room was not even shut all the way before the nurse announced, “the test is positive”. The counselor came in and with Marine Drill Sergeant like behavior presented me with my options. I still look back and laugh because in the split second from the waiting room to the counseling room, I knew what I was going to do. I remember explaining to her that there is no way in hell I am going to go through nine months and the eventual delivery to just give the baby to someone else. Not to mention, I was not going to live in some prison like halfway house to spare my family. The other option of keeping it, well I was 17 and just dropped out of high school. I don’t think so. I got the information about the abortion clinic, which ironically used to be the Women’s Hospital I was born in.

I had to tell my Mother because on the day of the procedure, the boyfriend disappeared and I couldn’t arrive without someone to drive me home. Imagine what it was like for my Mom to enter that hospital again this time with a pregnant teenage daughter. An envelope with his half of the $175.00 was at our apartment doorstep when we got home later that afternoon.

I was “officially” 12 weeks and 5 days. They agreed to take me anyway and perform a 1st trimester D&C. They gave me a 5mg Valium and I remember the cramping and the tugging sensation. Like many women, I have never regretted it. It was the absolute right thing to do.