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After-Abortion Stories

Exhale Pro-Voice holds space for abortion story-sharing - both reading others’ stories and writing your own. Should you chose to add your voice to Exhale Pro-Voice After-Abortion Stories, you remain the writer and owner of your story.

 

Abortion story-sharing can help us to:

-Feel less alone in a shared and stigmatized experience,

-Cultivate empathy and growth, as no two stories are alike,

-And deepen our connections with ourselves and with each other.

 

Abortion story-sharing can help us feel empowered as we take charge of our own narrative. And, abortion story-sharing can be emotional and painful - for both readers and writers. Whether you share your story publicly, anonymously, privately, or only with yourself, you deserve dignity and respect. Your story is powerful - and we are rooting for you every step of the way!

 

Add Your Voice

river flowing through mountains

March 16, 2022 By Exhale 2 Comments

Terminating a (Poorly) Planned Pregnancy

Submitted by: Emilia I’m a woman who has had two abortions. The first one was “an acceptable” one, the other not so. I’ve struggled with my mental health almost my whole life. My second abortion made me more depressed and anxious I have ever been. It’s been almost two years now and I still … [Read more...] about Terminating a (Poorly) Planned Pregnancy

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

Sunset through winter brush

March 8, 2022 By Exhale 1 Comment

My Abortion Saved My Life

Submitted By: S My abortion was a life-saving measure. February something-ith 2020, I was a shell of a human. My boyfriend was cheating on me, confusing me, abusing me. I had been with him for three years, and had been totally convinced by him that every problem we had was my fault. Thus, him … [Read more...] about My Abortion Saved My Life

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

beautiful waterfall on a cliff surrounded by greenery

March 7, 2022 By Exhale 2 Comments

Struggling With Regret

Submitted By: Anonymous I found out I was pregnant shortly after my 21st birthday. I recorded myself looking at the pregnancy test, thinking if it was positive it would be a great memory to have for the baby. I was excited, nervous of course, but I felt like I was being given a purpose. My … [Read more...] about Struggling With Regret

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

a field of small orange flowers

March 6, 2022 By Exhale Leave a Comment

A Road Not Walked

Submitted by: MC Through reading the testimonials I've read and seeing that most of them are women who have gone through the process. I felt the need to write for the girl who is yet to start that journey, unsure of her decision but knows in her heart that inevitably, it is the right thing to … [Read more...] about A Road Not Walked

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

Closeup of a branch with deep purple oddly shaped flowers

February 18, 2022 By Exhale Leave a Comment

I Lost My Kid and Nothing Can Change That

Submitted by: AK I'm 25. I'm applying to nursing school programs. I was 4 weeks and 6 days. I know I can make the choice to have children in the future. I know my spouse wants a family with me. I want a family with him. That is still something I look forward to.... but I killed my kid. I chose … [Read more...] about I Lost My Kid and Nothing Can Change That

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

black and white lake with a small boat

February 4, 2022 By Exhale 1 Comment

Terror Leads us to the Doorway of the Heart

Submitted by: Erica A declaration made long ago: I will never have an abortion. On February 11, 2020 disbelief, terror, and joy greeted me on my bathroom floor. As I glanced down at a positive pregnancy test, my swollen breasts and random morning nausea suddenly clicked. Thoughts raced through … [Read more...] about Terror Leads us to the Doorway of the Heart

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

Closeup of an evergreen tree in the wintertime

December 23, 2021 By Exhale Leave a Comment

Ms.

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.

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

a few lemons and lemon slices

December 20, 2021 By Exhale Leave a Comment

When Life Gives You Lemons…

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…

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

December 6, 2021 By Exhale Leave a Comment

It’s Been Two Years and I’m Still Hurting

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

November 26, 2021 By Exhale Leave a Comment

Never Say “Never”

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”

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

November 19, 2021 By Exhale 1 Comment

I’m Sorry

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

November 17, 2021 By Exhale 1 Comment

More Than One Abortion

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

November 15, 2021 By Exhale Leave a Comment

I Will Never Forgive Myself

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

October 4, 2021 By Exhale 2 Comments

My 2nd Abortion

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

October 3, 2021 By Exhale 2 Comments

Post-abortion Depression

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

September 23, 2021 By Exhale 1 Comment

Moving On

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

September 22, 2021 By Exhale 1 Comment

To my Friend in Texas

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

unsure

September 14, 2021 By Exhale 1 Comment

It’s OK to be Unsure

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 kid in to struggle with me … [Read more...] about It’s OK to be Unsure

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

September 7, 2021 By Exhale 3 Comments

Mother of 2 and I Just Had an Abortion

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

September 5, 2021 By Exhale 1 Comment

Feeling Regret

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

September 1, 2021 By Exhale Leave a Comment

Surgical Abortion

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

Filed Under: After-Abortion Stories

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