Wednesday's Words from Women

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I recently lost my job, so as you can imagine, an unexpected pregnancy was not the most joyful news. It was actually scary knowing that I could barely afford to take care of myself, let alone another human being. The next time something unexpected comes along like this I want to be prepared, independent, and financially stable.

--submitted by Brie* through a member clinic

>Learn more about the economics of abortion and the costs of denying abortion funding


At the present time I am taking care of my mother who has had four strokes and needs 24-hour care. I realize at this time a new baby plus my two-year-old, as well as my ill mom, would be very strenuous on me. I just want to focus on the three of us and not take on too much that I know I can’t handle. I appreciate the support and may God bless.

--submitted by Meredith* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Varying Policies and Practices Limit Incarcerated Women’s Access to Abortion Care

Access to abortion care for incarcerated women varies widely, according to a new study published in this month’s Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Incarcerated women wishing to terminate a pregnancy face numerous challenges; among them are facilities’ ad hoc responses to abortion requests, difficulties in making transportation or financial arrangements, and the requirement of obtaining a
court order.

In a survey of health professionals who provide clinical care in correctional facilities, 68% of respondents indicated that inmates at their facilities can obtain elective abortions; however, only 54% said that their facilities help to arrange appointments.

Additionally, the study found that facilities in states with a Republican-dominated
legislature or with a Medicaid policy that restricts abortion were more likely to have limited access to abortion care than were those whose state had a predominantly Democratic legislature or a Medicaid program that covered all or most medically necessary abortions. The authors suggest that the correctional health system should strive to consistently provide quality, comprehensive medical care to all inmates.

Wednesday's Words from Women

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I became pregnant while on birth control and that is what brought me to this decision. I am a full-time nursing student and want to fulfill my career goals. I am grateful for the freedom to make my own choices.

--submitted by Anna* through a member clinic


When I found out I was pregnanct a sick feeling went through my stomach. The world just stopped, and I felt so lost. I didn’t know what to do. The past couple of years have been really rough, and this didn’t help. I knew what my decision was going to be, but it was a hard decision to make. I love kids, and I can’t wait until I have my own. However, I would like to be married and in a stable environment, something that I do not have now. I found out how much this procedure was going to cost, and I felt like it was a lost cause. I barely had a penny to my name, and I just started a new job, so I wouldn’t get the money for a long time. In order to get the money, my ex-boyfriend had to ask his mom’s boyfriend’s mother, and that wasn’t enough. It was my turn to get the money, and fortunately I have friends that supported my decision, and agreed to help me. I am so happy that there are understanding people out there that understand and are supportive.

--submitted by Melanie* through a member clinic

Restrictions on federal funding for abortion care have severely restricted access to care for women who depend on the government for their health care.

>Learn more about these polices, which create an unjust obstacle to necessary health care and disproportionately impact low-income women and women of color.

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Article Highlights National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers

An article published Monday in The Nation highlights the National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers, observed this week on March 10th. The piece draws attention to the obstacles abortion providers face as they continue to provide women with comprehensive reproductive health care.

March 10 was set aside in 1996 as the National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers to commemorate the 1993 assassination of NAF Member Dr. David Gunn, the first provider murdered by an anti-abortion extremist.

Wednesday's Words from Women

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I am 17 years old, married to an amazing guy, and I chose to have an abortion. I chose to have an abortion because, while children are wonderful, I hope to be able to give my children more than I could dream of now. I plan to go to college, get a degree and hopefully open my own business. I want to be able to go to a career day at my child’s school, be proud of what I’ve done with my life, and be able to go to sleep at night not worried about how I’m going to pay a hospital bill from when I was 17. Children deserve the best things in life. They truly are our future. My baby would deserve too many things that I can’t provide right now, including all the love in the world. Someday I will be a mom, and I believe I will be an amazing parent when the time is right.

--submitted by Marissa* through a member clinic

I am already a struggling single mother of three children: four, seven, and soon to be one year old. This pregnancy was the result of a rape. It was not my intention to ever put myself in a position like this. I thought long and hard about what I was going to do about this pregnancy. I decided to have an abortion because I couldn’t see myself keeping this baby, but I also could not see myself giving the baby away and constantly wondering if I did the right thing and if it was being treated well.

--submitted by Toni* through a member clinic

>Learn more about women who have abortions.

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Blog Examines Potential Rise in Clinic Violence under Pro-Choice Administration

Since the inauguration of President Obama, anti-choice extremists have become increasingly harassing and abusive towards clinics. Yesterday, RH Reality Check examined the potential of increased clinic violence in its blog. Included is commentary from many NAF members, including Claire Keyes, former Director of NAF member Allegheny Reproductive Health Center, Elizabeth Barnes, Executive Director of NAF member Philadelphia Women’s Center, and Tammi Kromenaker, Director of NAF member Red River Women’s Clinic.

We know that political losses often provoke anti-abortion extremists to retaliate, so clinics need to increase their security awareness. Law enforcement is key to keeping the peace. In places where police respond quickly, stopping infractions against patients and staff--whether through locally passed ordinances or by invoking the federal FACE Act--anti-abortion violence does not usually escalate. In contrast, in places where the police do not enforce the law, anti-abortion extremists often push the envelope and engage in criminal activity.

>Learn more about violence and disruption against abortion providers.

Article Examines the Baby Boomer Generation and Choice

An article published on Sunday in the New York Times takes a look at the baby boomer generation and its role in the pro-choice movement. The piece profiles multiple women of the baby boomer generation, their histories in reproductive rights, and examines what effect their retirement will have on the pro-choice movement today. Anne Baker, Head of Counseling at NAF member Hope Clinic, Sally Burgess, NAF Board Chair and Executive Director at Hope Clinic, Rachel Jones, NAF Board Member, and Tina Welsh, former Board Member and former Director of NAF member Women’s Health Center in Duluth, MN, are all featured.

>Learn more about the history of abortion.

Anti-Choice Legislation Progresses in Kansas; Utah Votes to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception

This week, state legislatures advanced legislation both helpful and harmful to women’s reproductive health.

On Wednesday, the Kansas House of Representatives passed a bill requiring providers to report to the state on medical diagnoses for particular abortion procedures. In addition, this bill inserts politics into the doctor-patient relationship by requiring that doctors inform certain patients that the procedure will terminate a “whole, separate, unique, living human being.”

On Monday, the Utah House of Representatives approved legislation requiring medical facilities to provide sexual assault victims with information about emergency contraception. If passed, this bill would require doctors to give victims scientifically accurate verbal and written information about emergency contraception, as well as inform victims of where to go to for appropriate treatment if it is not available at their facility.

>Learn more about abortion rights in the states.

Wednesday's Words from Women

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

My baby was diagnosed with a fatal genetic disorder, osteogenesis imperfecta (type 2). My husband and I were told that if the baby survived birth, it would only live a few hours and would most likely die of respiratory failure. We decided that the most compassionate thing to do was to terminate the pregnancy.

I have always been pro-choice, but I never thought it would be a decision that I would personally make. I am 33 years old and married and we have two other healthy children. We planned this pregnancy and wanted this baby, but the thought of continuing a pregnancy for the child to know only pain is the worst thing I can think of. We are so thankful that we had the option to end the suffering, and that we did not have to travel to another state or just wait for the inevitable.

--submitted by Laura* through a member clinic

> Learn more about abortion and planned pregnancies.


When we found out my granddaughter was pregnant there wasn’t much time. She had to decide what she wanted to do. She’s 21 years old and on medication for depression. Her heart was broken. She said she wasn’t ready for a baby because she hadn’t found her place in life yet. It was very hard for her to make this choice but she feels it is the right one for her right now.

--submitted by Denise* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy