Sharing our personal stories can strengthen our bonds with family and friends, help us not feel so alone, and it can generate more social respect for all of our unique abortion experiences. But, sharing our stories can also come with great personal and professional risks. Whether you chose to share your story publicly, privately, or not at all, know that you deserve to be heard with dignity and respect. Your story is powerful and intimate and we’re rooting for you every step of the way.
Exhale promotes ‘Ethical Storysharing’ – a practice that puts the owner of the story - you, the person who has had an abortion – in the center of the storytelling process. It ensures that your rights, needs, and leadership are supported and respected throughout the process. Ethical storysharing encourages wellbeing, and facilitates cultural transformation.
Ready to share your story?
Submitted by: Emma Monday, December 20th at 23 years old, I went in for an ultrasound to confirm 3 positive pregnancy tests. I'd gotten some because I was having intense cramps without bleeding and thought I had an ectopic pregnancy or uterine cyst, etc. No bleeding was normal for me off of birth … [Read more...] about Ms.
Submitted by: Youarenotalone …. make some lemonade. But my question is, how much lemonade is enough? At 19 I married my childhood sweetheart and we’ve been together for 13 years. We tried to get pregnant but to no avail. We did all the treatments but still nothing. My ex-husband’s … [Read more...] about When Life Gives You Lemons…
Submitted by: Alice Two years ago at 21 years old I had an abortion with the pill. I had been dating my then-boyfriend now-husband for only 1 month, and I wasn't close to finishing school either. I was also doing drugs at the time two to three times a week. I still felt that I wanted the baby … [Read more...] about It’s Been Two Years and I’m Still Hurting
Submitted by: Naomi When I was in my twenties, I was always certain that I never wanted any children because I thought they were annoying and would get in the way of things. I loved being “childfree” and just being able to do whatever I wanted to do. Right before I turned 32, I started dating … [Read more...] about Never Say “Never”
Submitted by: B Today I went and got my 2nd abortion, about a year apart from each other. Both babies were unplanned, but so deeply wanted. I love kids and have always wanted to be a mother, but I’m only 22 and I just lost my job a few days ago. My boyfriend has a lot of issues with mental … [Read more...] about I’m Sorry
Submitted by: A When the well-kempt woman told me calmly that she had had four abortions, I was really surprised. Even as a pro-choice advocate who had two abortions at the time, I was taken aback by my own surprise to hear her speak her truth. She didn't share to grieve or receive feedback. It … [Read more...] about More Than One Abortion
Submitted by: Anonymous I just recently had my first abortion. It’s been a week since I did the medication procedure. I am 17 years old in my senior year of high school. I have been on the patch birth control since I became a freshman, and it has always worked for me. However, there was a time … [Read more...] about I Will Never Forgive Myself
Submitted by: Grace I had my first abortion in 2018. I was 21 years old, dating a guy who was 19. We were both way too young. Despite knowing it was the right decision for me, it was a very traumatic experience because deep down, I knew I wanted a baby with him. Maybe not then, but someday I knew … [Read more...] about My 2nd Abortion
Submitted by: Anon I had an abortion in December 2020, it is now almost 10 months since, and I am still feeling extremely sad about it. It affects my relationship with my boyfriend and my friends as I am more distant. I feel like something is missing. I never knew how much of a loss this would … [Read more...] about Post-abortion Depression
Submitted by: EmilyKim I still remember that dayThe day I gave a life away.I wanted to protect this life, or this potential of lifeBut the reasons to let go were too strong A husband just diagnosed with leukemiaCounting the days before he started chemoAnd an eight year old daughter who was … [Read more...] about Moving On
Submitted by: Jane Doe To My Friend in Texas: It’s the first hour of the dayas I lay awake;thinking of how you must be feelingof Senate Bill 8. As news hit the headlinesand everyone takes their stances,I can’t help but think of you,as you fight the masses. As you’ve passed the six-week … [Read more...] about To my Friend in Texas
Submitted by: Phoenix I was unsure of my choice at first, but I knew getting an abortion was the best choice for me. I can't financially support myself right now and I'm not mentally or physical prepared for a child. I'm still young and not where I want to be. It would be selfish to bring a … [Read more...] about It’s OK to be Unsure
Submitted by: Korey I was texting with Cecelia with Exhale today about what I did, and I told her I would write my story on here, or at last add my voice. I am married, a mother to two daughters ages 7 and 4, and crazily enough I aborted what should have been my third child just … [Read more...] about Mother of 2 and I Just Had an Abortion
Submitted by: Anonymous I just had my abortion today and I am already feeling like I made a huge mistake. My marriage is on the rocks and I was fearful it would either end it for good or I would end up a single parent. It’s very selfish of me because I could financially be a single parent, but I … [Read more...] about Feeling Regret
Submitted by: Twana I had an surgical abortion august 31, 2021 and the procedure was fast and not as bad as people think it is. I rate the pain a 5. It was so quick, I couldn't really feel anything and I did it without sedation. I didn't need it for a 5 minute surgery. I felt fine after I had … [Read more...] about Surgical Abortion
Submitted by: Lauren I found out I was pregnant at only 4 weeks, and knew at that moment that I didn’t want to keep it. I have 2 kids of my own (the smallest 1 years old), and a step daughter. My relationship has been toxic and abusive, and I knew there was not enough of me to take care of … [Read more...] about Mixed Emotions
Submitted by: Maria 32 years ago today I had an abortion because my boyfriend at the time did not want the pregnancy -- or me -- whilst I was pregnant. I am ashamed to say that I was coerced into it and eventually chose it because of the alternative, which was threatened destitution. At that … [Read more...] about 32 Years Ago Today
Presentado por: Manuela [English translation below] Hace 5 meses mi vida cambio, tome la decision mas importante de mi vida. Decidi un aborto de un embarazo no deseado. tengo una relación un poco confusa desde hace mucho tiempo, que no he podido dejar del todo por amor tóxico o miedo a la … [Read more...] about Me escogi a mi
Submitted by: Jessica I was 22 years old when my boyfriend and I became pregnant. We always used condoms every single time. He wanted me to get on actual birth control, but as crazy as it sounds, I wanted to save unprotected sex for my future husband. It was something that I felt was the right … [Read more...] about I had an abortion and my EX told everybody about it
Submitted by: Jen 5th July 2019 at the age of 38, I ended an unplanned pregnancy. It was a decision I'd thought I'd never make, but I was so scared of either option -- to give birth or to have a termination -- and I just needed it to go away. My boyfriend at the time was unhelpful, giving me all … [Read more...] about Two Years Ago Today
Submitted by: Jennifer It's my turn to share my story of grief and regret. They say that abortion is easy and that there's nothing to it, but my story says otherwise. I had my first abortion when I was 17. I told my parents that I was pregnant and the long story short is that my dad told me to … [Read more...] about I’ve Had Two Abortions and My Daughter Just Had One
