Maggie

In the mid 1990s, I found myself faced with an unplanned and very much unwanted pregnancy. There are definitely two kinds of unplanned pregnancies. I had stopped taking the pill. I started getting the shot.

“I wish Plan B had been available at the pharmacy. It may have prevented the pregnancy.”

I only had gotten the shot once. I did not care for it. I should have gone back on the pill right away. Instead I used foam and condoms. One night I made a mistake by having unprotected sex.

I did not have health insurance. I was living paycheck-to-paycheck. I was working in the restaurant industry. The job was already physically challenging without the burden of pregnancy. I also have very bad lower back issue due to being hit by a car when I was a teenager. I know that pregnancy can be very hard on the back. I do not believe my back could take it.

My partner at the time was also living paycheck-to-paycheck. He was not mature enough for fatherhood.

I terminated the pregnancy at six weeks with a surgical abortion. I knew very early. I knew at four weeks that I was pregnant. I would have selected a medical abortion if RU 486 would have been available. I wish Plan B had been available at the pharmacy. It may have prevented the pregnancy.

After the abortion, I went back on the pill. About five years later, I had a tubal ligation. I have never had a desire to be a mother. I often say that I was born without the mother gene.