Kathleen

In my time I have had one baby that I gave up to my parents and two abortions. When I got pregnant the first time I was in denial big time, and by the time I decided I did not want a child it was way too late. My parents adopted him, and it has been wonderful seeing him grow up.

“I could not give up another and would rather abort.”

My two abortions were both with my boyfriend/husband of 17 years. When I had the first one we had recently moved to Massachusetts after he got out of the Navy. We had one car between us, I worked 5:30am to 2:30pm, came home, and he took the car and worked from 4pm till midnight. It was what we needed to do to make it work at the time. When we got pregnant we were both a mess.

We talked about it, and both of us realized we were struggling a bit as it was and adding a baby was going to make things worse. I said I could not give up another and would rather abort, and he was supportive. He went with me and was very sweet. It was the best choice we felt we could make.

My second abortion was therapeutic, though that seems a bad way to put it. I was on Depo-Provera and having issues with where the shot was going. I had been on it a few years and had no issue but then I changed doctors, and I believe the nurse was not getting the shot into a muscle belly. A week after my quarterly shot I felt sick and just had a gut feeling.

I took a pregnancy test and called my doctor. He gave me a few options. I could have the baby and know there might be some serious issues, let my body abort as it probably would with the Depo on board, or have an abortion. He recommended some clinics to me and suggested it would be easier and safer than letting my body abort on its own. My then husband had started school and was working full time so I went by myself. It was only a couple of blocks from where I lived.

I do not regret either abortion. I do not regret my son or giving him up. I held no one to blame but me and my partner, and we handle the situations to the best of ability and resources. I am glad I was in Massachusetts. It was not hard finding a clinic and both places were kind and comforting.