Erica

From the moment I knew I was pregnant, I was certain that I would have an abortion. My boyfriend was supportive and loving, and the clinic staff was incredibly understanding and non-judgmental. I'm so grateful to live in a country that has safe, legal access to abortion, and every woman should be offered this same choice. As a reproductive rights activist, I was fairly familiar with the procedure and knew what to expect. I decided to have a surgical abortion in order to end the termination quickly, rather than wait for the pill to complete the process which can take days. Although I had no complications, the pain associated with the procedure is considerable, and I would recommend that others consider a general anesthetic if it is available. The clinic I chose, due to convenience, unfortunately only offered local anesthesia, and while it wasn't unbearable, it was certainly uncomfortable and not something I'd like to go through again. Now, more than two weeks later, I'm feeling relieved, happy, and at peace with my life and my decision. I'm not sorry. I'm proud of my choices.

As a college student, I simply have no desire for or ability to take care of children.

While I did go through brief periods of grief and felt a sense of loss, I attribute most of that to hormonal changes. Having a supportive network of friends, family, and a loving partner allowed me to easily be at peace with my decision. I'm grateful to have my life and opportunities back.