i was sure i couldn’t get pregnant on day seven of my menstrual cycle. you’d think a nursing student would know better. i’d been careful to protect against stds; my boyfriend and i each had two negative tests six months apart before we occasionally had sex without a condom. foolishly, i was not as careful with my contraceptive method, and became pregnant whilst smack in the middle of nursing school. i was in no position to be responsible for a child. i wouldn’t even have been able to legally remain in the u.s. if i was not enrolled in full-time studies, i needed to complete my studies in order to get a job, and without a job i couldn’t support myself, let alone a child as well. my boyfriend and i went to planned parenthood and made the informed choice to terminate the pregnancy. fortunately it was early enough that chemical abortion was an option; for me the experience was not in the least traumatic and i have never regretted it (though i have regretted using the rhythm method of contraception, and have learned my lesson!). as i write this, years later, i am 30 weeks pregnant and looking forward to having a child who i can offer what i’ve always aimed for – stable residency status in my country of choice, a steady job that will be very accommodating when i need maternity leave, and a loving, supportive and committed partner who was my inspiration to become a mother. without the abortion i am sure my current circumstances would have been impossible and i would not be happily starting a family. thank goodness i had the choice.