Sara’s Story

I just had an abortion today, September 17 2005. As of now I do not feel bad or regret my decision. I’m 21 years old and still live at home with my father. I do not work, or have a college education, have a car; pretty much I have nothing. The man I got pregnant by is 39 and in jail for two years now. I found out I was pregnant on the 8th of this month. When I found out my whole world fell apart. I felt alone and empty. At that exact time I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I did have my pregnancy test at a Pro-Life place, a Pregnancy Help Center. So of course there whole thing was on not to have an abortion. As the days passed by I talked to my family and friends. I’m lucky to have an open relationship with many people in my life so I didn’t have a problem telling anyone about what was going on with me. Some of my friends that have had abortions said that I think it’s the best thing for me. Others like my mom said “I think you should have the baby, you might regret the abortion afterwards.” I also looked on the Internet for more questions I thought I would need to be answered. I read through Pro-Life and Pro-Choice websites. To be honest none of my family, friends, websites had an effect on my choice. I knew what I wanted and what I was going to do. I also wrote to the man I got pregnant by, he wrote back. He told me it was my choice but he wished I would have the baby. He said there was welfare and other choices till he got out of jail. And that he would have to tell his probation officer if I did have the baby. He already had children my age and grandchildren. His letter had no impact on me either. In my mind I knew what was right. I wasn’t responsible enough, didn’t have money, a place to live, a life to give a child. This was not the kind of place or time in my life I wanted to bring a child into. So my choice was solely my own and the right one. I do wish I would not have been as irresponsible as to get pregnant. But I’m not sorry. I know in the end that I made the best choice.