Abortion Stories
These stories have been shared by our patients, employees, friends, and supporters. Please read and consider sharing your own abortion story. Bit by bit, we will build a truer, more nuanced, more compassionate picture of abortion.
Heavy Exercise
"In the 60s when I was in high school, my best friend became pregnant. The only person she told was her mother, a woman with mental health problems and no money. All her mother could do was share some folk remedies and advise her to 'do heavy exercise and you'll lose the baby.'
Years later, my friend told me she followed her mother's advice. Moving furniture and turning mattresses was part of the therapy. As predicted, the following morning she began to bleed. She decided not to go the emergency room immediately because she wanted to be sure she would lose the baby. While, waiting, she went to the movies and sat through two shows with blood soaking into towels. When she was sure that enough time/blood passed, she went to the hospital. By the time she got there, my friend was so weak she had to be hospitalized.
I have had the privilege of volunteering and then working at Planned Parenthood. Every day I was grateful that there is safe and legal help for any young girl who might be in a situation similar to my friend's. Today I would like to thank Preterm for everything you do." — a Preterm supporter
You Are Strong
“I am 20 years old and a junior in college and 5 weeks pregnant. I can't believe this is all happening and I cannot believe I am here. But I am and have a hard reality to face. My boyfriend is younger than me and neither of us are ready to be parents (although I guess we already are in a way). I believed in other women’s choices, just never thought I’d be making this choice. I wanted to cry for joy when I first got pregnant, but it didn’t happen that way. I guess it didn’t happen that way for a lot of us. I can hardly afford college and bills right now and my baby deserves the best, something I can’t give right now. Life means so much more than breathing, it means the world, and I don’t have the world to give my baby. Each or our stories are different but we each share something, and it is this: ALWAYS LOVE YOURSELF – YOU ARE STRONG." — a Preterm patient
First Step to Freedom
"I am here to break away from an abusive boyfriend I've known for 7 yrs tomorrow. We have a 4-yr-old who I brought up mostly alone. I tried so hard to make this relationship work. But I realize living with someone who abused me mentally, emotionally & physically was not right for myself or for any children. When I’m done today, it’ll be the first step to freedom, and being me again!
Thank you for special friends who support me, and guide me to a new beginning.
I want children, but for the right reasons, & the right man!” — a Preterm patient
