A week after I turned 17, I lost my virginity to a date rape. This was a guy I had known for a while and someone I trusted. He put something in my drink that actually put me in the hospital.
2 weeks later I found out I was pregnant. I planned to have an abortion, but I was having trouble getting the money together. I only worked a part time job and was still a senior in high school. I didn’t dare ask my mother, because she is very anti-abortion and would not help me. At the same time, I knew she would not support adoption or me actually having the child. So I had 3 choices abortion and no one knowing; adoption and being kicked out of my home or having the baby and being kicked out of my home. It was really simple, not to mention I was afraid of what kind of effect the date rape drug would have had.
I got the money together at 3 months and went in to Planned Parenthood. My best friend took me. I was very nervous; there were a lot of protestors with those big signs. They scared me, because I was always hearing how they get violent sometimes. I really think it is wrong of people to do that. Here we are making a choice and for some of us that is really hard. We don’t need to hear about killing and seeing those horrible pictures.
The procedure didn’t take long. It did hurt, but not as much as actually childbirth. Afterwards, I only bled a little for about a week, no infection, everything was fine. My follow-up check up was fine and I started Depo-Provera.
I’m 25 now and I’ve never regretted it. I went on to get my nursing degree and I’m now getting my Masters of Science in Nurse-Midwifery, something I would have had to struggle with as a single mother. I’ve been married for 3 years and have a 2-year-old girl.
I’m very thankful that I had that choice. I think it should be funded by the states. When I think of all the abused, hungry, and unwanted children out there, it makes me sad that more women can not have abortions. I, myself, almost did not get the money in time for it.
