i found out that i was pregnant the day before i was set to fly across country for a several month long service endeavor. there was no consideration of “what to do”; i knew im世界杯2022亚洲预选赛b组 tely that i had to have an abortion.

my relationship was incredibly unstable, my body and life could not handle carrying a pregnancy to full term, and i am not ready to have a child.

i had my abortion across the country, completely apart from my support system. i wanted it im世界杯2022亚洲预选赛b组 tely and scheduled an appointment at a clinic before my service placement began, but i was too “early” and had to wait several more weeks to have the procedure. it was an abortion-unfriendly state, and i was harassed by protesters each time i entered and exited the clinic. i had to endure extra, unnecessary visits to the clinic to meet “wait time” requirements.

i never told anyone in my family. i told very few of my friends. i worry even when i disclose my abortion to a doctor or therapist; what if they’re anti-choice and i have to endure a shaming lecture? the only reason that my abortion was a negative experience was due to abortion stigma. if i didn’t have to sneak into a “clinic”, endure harassment and unnecessary visits and ultrasounds, and live in fear of someone finding out and reacting negatively, i would have no emotional wounds from my experience. it was the right choice, and i have never regretted it. i only regret that some in this society feel justified in shaming me for making a choice about my body that i am entitled to make. i regret that the restriction and judgment that others have placed on women like me forces us to suffer unnecessarily.