Michelle

There I was, 26 years old, a single mother of an 8-year-old and pregnant. I cried and thought to myself, What am I going to do?

“Yes, I wanted more children. But not at that time in my life.”

I had gone to the free clinic a few months prior to pick up some birth control, only to be told that I could no longer receive it because the clinic was closing. I knew that I was not eligible at the time for medical coverage at my job because I was not full-time. Time went by, and I went out with an ex-boyfriend to a New Year’s Eve party and had a little too much to drink. The next morning I awoke and we talked about the crazy night and he said we’d had sex. At this time Plan B was not available. A month later, a test confirmed I was pregnant.

As he looked at the ultrasound machine, the doctor said, “Are you sure you want to do this?” I said yes, and cried. I knew the moment I walked in the door of that clinic that I was going to go through with my decision to have an abortion, but I did not need anyone making me feel bad. Yes, it was scary. Yes, it was painful. Yes, I wanted more children. But not at that time in my life. Women should have the right to make their own decision as to what they do with their bodies.

I am now 34, happily married, and a mother of four beautiful children who I love and adore. I am not proud of my decision, but I am proud that I had the right to make that decision for myself. I am not ashamed of my decision; no women should ever be made to feel ashamed for making a choice about what is best for her own body.