The procedure itself was mildly painful, but bearable, and when it was over I cannot describe the enormous relief I felt. Not only was the horrible sickness gone, I also felt as though a terrible burden had been lifted.

Years later, in my late twenties, my birth control failed. This time, I was a much smarter adult so I wasn't terrified, but I was very, very sick and felt a little foolish that it had happened again. Instead of going to clinic and facing protesters, my partner and I went to a wonderful and kind private practitioner (I thought it especially kind of him to explain that the birth control I had been using had a high failure rate that was just coming to light). This doctor had tended to women in emergency rooms pre-Roe and was furious at all the new obstacles being placed in the way of women post-Roe. Did I mention that I liked this guy a lot?

This procedure was almost completely discomfort-free, and once again, I felt immediately physically better when it was over. The doctor brought me tea when I was dressed, and went over every form of birth control to find the best one for me.

A few months later, I became seriously ill, and it was then my condition was diagnosed. If I had continued either pregnancy, I would have most likely died. Even if that were not the case, I would have no regrets over either abortion, other than regretting that I was ever in a position to get one. The procedures themselves brought only great physical and mental relief, and I am grateful to everyone who fought to make it possible for me to have safe, legal abortions.