Janet was the founder and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina and the Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina Action Fund, a 501(c)4 organization engaged in political work in the state. She retired from Planned Parenthood in 2016. Janet currently serves on the Board of … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Abortion: My Abortion Story
Let’s Talk Abortion: Chanel’s Writing on Abortion and Judaism
Chanel Dubofsky is a writer based in Brooklyn. She worked in Jewish education and service, and left several years ago to write full-time. Chanel’s non-fiction work often includes reporting on abortion. Nina Pine: A lot of your non-fiction writing has been focused on abortion. Can you tell me … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Abortion: Chanel’s Writing on Abortion and Judaism
Let’s Talk Abortion: Jessica’s Healing Journey
Jessica is a Chicago-native, entrepreneur, and storyteller. Jessica speaks with purpose, and her experience has taught her that healing takes work. While it ebbs and flows, and doesn’t arrive overnight, it is possible. Nina Pine: Can you tell me about your abortion experience? Jessica: I … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Abortion: Jessica’s Healing Journey
The Hardest Day of my Life
Submitted by Sarah S It's only been 4 days since I had the surgical procedure done. I can still feel everything as if it were still happening. Those hours in the waiting room tapping my feet and trying to convince myself that I wasn't a monster. I am 16 years old and I was there alone. Every … [Read more...] about The Hardest Day of my Life
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy
Submitted by Jessica Our son was two and we were ready to add on to our family. I became pregnant after our first try and we were very excited. I was a little nervous about my “advanced age” as I was 36 going on 37, but otherwise I felt good. We told our son about the baby, and asked him whether … [Read more...] about Ending a Wanted Pregnancy
My Abortion Story
Submitted by Nicole S I found out I was pregnant the end of my senior year of college. It’s the classic story of “the one time we didn’t use a condom.” I had a boyfriend who I was completely in love with and knew that I would spend the rest of my life making memories with. A few weeks after this … [Read more...] about My Abortion Story
Surgical Abortion at 7 Weeks
Anonymous Submission Yesterday I had a surgical abortion with IV sedation at 7 weeks pregnant. I want to share my experience. I'm a mid 30's mother of two. I found out I was pregnant and struggled with what decision to make. My two boys (fraternal twins) were both diagnosed with autism, one … [Read more...] about Surgical Abortion at 7 Weeks
No Sedation Surgical Abortion
Anonymous Submission I just returned from the doctor after undergoing a surgical abortion. I opted to not have sedation and I am really pleased with my choice. I found out I was pregnant very early and when I decided to terminate the pregnancy I went to a private clinic. I was certain of my … [Read more...] about No Sedation Surgical Abortion
Exhale + TED
1. Watch Aspen Baker take the TED stage for her talk, A Better Way to Talk About Abortion: 2. Listen to Aspen Baker in TED Radio Hour in the series, Beyond Tolerance: 3. Read Aspen's TED Ideas blog post, How Stories of Personal Experience Help Drive … [Read more...] about Exhale + TED
9 week surgical abortion-positive experience
Anonymous Submission I wanted to share my experience with everyone of my abortion at 9 1/2 weeks, mostly because it was as positive an experience as something like this could be. I had decided to do a medical (pill) abortion at first, but then changed my mind. I am very glad I did. At first it … [Read more...] about 9 week surgical abortion-positive experience
My 14 week ordeal
Submitted by Jenna Onelove It's been one year since I had my abortion. I am about to go through a second one this weekend. I feel an overwhelming urge to speak about my experience as part of my healing process. I am still healing, and will be for a while. Will things be ok, yes. Some people just … [Read more...] about My 14 week ordeal
One Year Ago
Anonymous Submission It's been one year since I had my abortion. I was so conflicted when I found out I was pregnant. My (now ex) boyfriend and I were going through really tough times. I had just quit a good paying job because I was unhappy and he was very angry with me about it. Then I find … [Read more...] about One Year Ago
D&C Abortion at 9 Weeks
Anonymous Submission I had a surgical abortion at 9 weeks two days gestation. The process was very straightforward and simple. I called Planned Parenthood on a Wednesday and they had my "first appointment" scheduled the following Tuesday. When I showed up for the first appointment the wait was 45 … [Read more...] about D&C Abortion at 9 Weeks
My Abortion Gave me Reason to Live
Submitted by H.H. I'm an only child. I'm pretty sure my mom didn't want me. Even through this hard truth, she still remains the love of my life. She described my conception as a 'planned accident'. My dad wanted a litter and my mom wanted none. When she was 32, I think my parents felt the … [Read more...] about My Abortion Gave me Reason to Live
Numbness
Anonymous Submission I am 19-years old and I had my second abortion last month. The first was about 6 months prior, with the same guy. The first time I got pregnant, I had seen it coming. My boyfriend and I were lazily using the FAM method of prevention and actually ended up having unprotected … [Read more...] about Numbness
Third Time Is A Charm… Right?
Submitted by Sarah Jarvis Hey ladies, I'm Sarah and out of all the stories I have read about abortion not many are like mine. So I hope if there is another girl out there that is going through the same situation, that my story is able to help them through this. I am 20 years old living in Ohio … [Read more...] about Third Time Is A Charm… Right?
My Due Date
Submitted by Sarah Jane Well, here it is. My theoretical due date is right around the corner....and I am not doing well with it. I realize it's unhealthy to count, to think about my alternative life like this. But every time I see a protruding pregnant belly, I feel like someone has kicked me in … [Read more...] about My Due Date
Top 5 Questions About Pro-Voice
1) What is pro-voice? We hear a lot about abortion politics. But how often do we get to hear from people who have experienced abortion in their own words? Though 1 in 3 women in America will have one in her lifetime, abortion is still taboo in conversation, polarized in politics, and all … [Read more...] about Top 5 Questions About Pro-Voice
Surgical abortion at 9 weeks, 2 days
Anonymous Submission I've been with my boyfriend for 5 years, and honestly we had never really used birth control. We've tried condoms and the patch, but mostly we relied on withdrawal. Something was bound to happen eventually, and I ended up pregnant at 22. I kept switching back between … [Read more...] about Surgical abortion at 9 weeks, 2 days
8 Things Not to Say to Someone After Abortion
This is the list I wish I had ten years ago. After I had an abortion, nobody knew what to say to me. Not even Larry, my therapist. Poor Larry. Looking back, I would not have known what to say to me, either. One in three women will have an abortion in her lifetime. Men, too, deserve to be heard. Yet … [Read more...] about 8 Things Not to Say to Someone After Abortion
This summer, I did something that I’ve been putting off for eight years: I sat down and talked to my parents - Bob and Cecilia - about how they handled my abortion. We’ve talked about my abortion before, a sentence here or there, but usually it’s in the context of a larger conversation about … [Read more...] about