i had just turned 18. i was living fast and loose– i had dropped out of high school before graduation. i had just recently gotten a full time job, but had no money or bank account. my boyfriend had just gone to jail for a 5 year sentence and i was living with my boyfriend’s mother. i had many other sexual partners besides my boyfriend.

at the time i would have conceived, i was also not eating well and likely would have been deficient in folic acid and other important nutrients vital to the brain and bodily health of an embryo. in addition, i was drinking and smoking pot almost every day. the men i was sleeping with were, too. one of the men i slept with also had a debilitating genetic birth defect that could have been passed onto a child.

these negatives were clearly on my mind when i thought about being pregnant. my life situation was not good for me, nor this unborn child. i was barely taking care of my own self. i knew that i wasn’t ready physically, mentally, emotionally, or financially for a child, or to carry a child to term.

i found an abortion provider in my area, thankfully. i went to the appointment and was instructed on what to expect during and after the abortion. on the friday before the 4th of july weekend, i had my abortion. i was able to recuperate over the long weekend and return to work without missing any time off, and without telling anyone what happened. i wasn’t traumatized; i was relieved to be able to move forward with my life and continue to make improvements to my situation.

every single day i am so incredibly grateful that i was not forced to continue with that pregnancy. it would have been a disaster for me, and for that child. in all likelihood we would have both become drains on society at large. instead, i have become a productive member of society and have been able to complete my education.

now, even 27 years later, i have never had any negative health consequences of this procedure. my reproductive organs are healthy and i have no emotional baggage over this important decision i made for my life and the life of people in my future.

if i knew someone who needed an abortion now, i have no idea where or how to tell them to get one because it has become so stigmatized.

we need to keep abortion safe, legal, affordable, and between a woman and her health care provider. the government should not have the power to regulate this any differently than any other procedure my doctor and i agree is necessary for my health and welfare.