Rachel

I only told a few people. My parents and boyfriend were completely supportive and we were all in agreement of the situation. I only told about 5 other people and all of them were supportive as well. I was very lucky to be surrounded by these people.

When I originally went in for my abortion the doctors had miscalculated the date of conception and it was too early. I had to wait two weeks and then the procedure was performed. Between those two weeks I had a lot of doctors appints and met some awful gynecologists in the process who I reported to the hospital. My actual procedure was performed on Long Island, at a Planned Parenthood. I had a surgical abortion (vacuum aspiration) I was in twlight sleep for the whole time and felt no pain during the procedure. Afterwards during my recovery my parents took me home and I slept the rest of the day. I bled for the next 6 or 7 days as if I were experiencing a normal period. I had relitivly minimal pain, except for the cramping that immediatly followed the procedure. 4 months later my period returned and my cycle evened itself out again.

I have many genetic factors that contributed to my decision as well as mental health issues and my personal feelings. I did not want a child at the age of 21, I felt i was incredibly too young and not mature enough to care for a child. Physically, I take a medication that would have made the fetus I was carrying severely deformed and the chances of a successful pregnancy and carrying a healthy baby to term were very slim. I was also a very recent graduate of college and getting ready to start graduate school. I wanted to get on my career track and make sure everything in my life was settled the way I wanted it to be. My boyfriend was in complete agreement with me. We had some bumpy times but we are sitll together and never regretted the decision I chose.

If the situation arose again, I would not think twice and have another abortion. I will also always fight for the right for women everywhere to have the choice to do what they want with their bodies.

I think my emotions ran the gammet during my entire experience. I felt guilty and ashamed at some times and other times I was anxious and impatient. It took me a very long time to feel comfortable with myself again. A day can not go by that I don't think of what happened and the choice I chose to make. Today, I am at peace with my decision and would do so again in a heartbeat.