I am sure my story starts out like many others. I am a
20-year-old girl who is intelligent with large
aspirations and dreams. I have a huge future in front
of me, and I plan on fulfilling every part of it.
Or so I thought. I was dating a guy from my school for
about 8 months. He was everything that I dreamed of.
Not only was he super sweet but a blast to be around.
We had been having protected sex for awhile, and even
would talk about what I would do if something happened
and I got pregnant. Neither he nor I wanted to have
a baby this young (he is 20 also).
The night before he went back home for the summer, we
had sex and the condom broke. Although I was on the
pill as well, we were both scared. We again talked
about what "we" would do if I got pregnant. I had
always been more or less lectured from my mom about
how abortion was not the way to go, especially since
we were from a Catholic family, but once I found out
that I was pregnant, I knew what I had to do.
I found out that I was pregnant in the middle of May.
I had gone to Wal-Mart to get an home pregnancy
test, and was not the least surprised when it was
positive. I immediately called Planned Parenthood and
got an appointment for another pregnancy test. It also
came back positive. The first person that I told was
my roommate who had also been one of my best friends
for 18 years. She was 100% supportive. The only
problem, my boyfriend was 10 hours away. I was scared
to tell him at first, and really had no intentions on
telling him at all, since it was my decision to make,
but eventually called him (even though my mind was
made up already). He was just as scared as I was. He
wanted to make sure that the abortion was really what
I wanted, and also to make sure that I was going to be
okay emotionally as well as physically. The next issue
was how was I going to pay for it. I had rent, car
payment upon other bills, AND I had to somehow pay for
it without my parents finding out. I ended up getting
a credit card to pay for the bill. This is one debt I
am more than happy to pay.
I went through the procedure on July 3, 2004. Now that
I look back, I really wasn't that scared. I just felt
that it was something that I had to do, not only for
my benefit but also for the baby that I wasn't going
to bring into the world. Afterwards, I felt a little
tired, but was back to my normal activities without
anyone wondering if something was different about me.
It was one of the BEST decisions I have ever made. I
am now a junior in college, and doing very well. Although I plan on having children someday, I am glad
that I didn't bring a child into the world that I am
not ready to take care of, financially OR emotionally.
Some days I can barely take care of myself!
Regardless, my now ex-boyfriend and I are still
friends and although we don't talk about the abortion
often, I know that it was the best thing for him and
me...AND I AM NOT SORRY!!!
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