Wednesday's Words From Women

As anti-choice legislators and groups around the nation continue their efforts to place unnecessary barriers on women’s access to abortion care, it is more important than ever that we bring forward stories from women who have chosen abortion. NAF is interested in hearing about your experience and why you are pro-choice. We encourage you to share your story and personal experiences on our ShareYour Story page.

Here are just a few of the stories that were shared with us recently:

When I was in college, I faithfully used birth control. Nonetheless, I found myself pregnant. The decision to have an abortion was one I entered into with much thought. At the time I was on scholarship. My rent, books, supplies, and very modest living expenses would have made it impossible for me to care for a child. Considering the cost of raising a child to adulthood, I would have had to drop out of school, making it impossible to increase my earnings and properly provide for a family. Now at 56, I strongly believe that contraception (in most cases) prevents abortions. Women do not consider abortion as a form of contraception but rather a difficult decision to make based on individual circumstances. Every woman deserves access.

--Submitted by Penelope* through our website

I am pro-choice because no one can or should tell you what’s right for you. I would never tell another woman to have an abortion or not. I would, however, tell her to do what’s right for her and not let anyone pressure her into continuing with a pregnancy that she is not ready for.

I am unemployed so any help at this time would be appreciated. I know there are people who are struggling worse than me but due to my student loans and other financial obligations, having a child right now would be another added stress that I cannot handle.

--Submitted by Cassidy* through a member clinic

I am just relieved to have choices and options open to me. My story is not very pretty. I never thought I would consider having an abortion but with my circumstances I felt it was the best choice. I was sexually abused for several months and when I found out I was pregnant, I was devastated. I did not choose to have sex with this man and did not want to be connected to him for life—it was a gut wrenching feeling. I am grateful to NAF for supporting me through my procedure.

--Submitted by Romy* through a member clinic


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 feature 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.

Letter to the Editor: All health clinics are not created equally

This morning, a letter to the editor was published in The Morning Call, which clarified the difference between a recently closed abortion care facility in Pennsylvania and NAF member clinic Allentown Women's Center:

 As an Allentown Women's Center patient advocate, I am concerned that The Morning Call's article about a recently closed abortion clinic may have confused some readers. Although one clinic, Dr. Brigham's Allentown Medical Services, has been shut down, another completely separate clinic — Allentown Women's Center — remains open.

Founded in 1978, the center is an independent health care facility offering routine gynecological, contraception, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender services in addition to our quality, compassionate abortion care. Earlier this year, we relocated to an expanded facility in Bethlehem.

Allentown Medical Services had a history of complications, health code violations and licensing issues. I have heard too many heartbreaking stories about the substandard care given at some other clinics, and it's important that women know how to choose a safe reproductive health care provider. It's wise to pursue referrals from their doctors, from accrediting organizations like the National Abortion Federation (the Allentown Women's Center is a member) or from trusted friends — not just utilize the phone book or online advertisements.

Trustworthy clinics encourage women to ask questions and listen to their intuition. Seeking an abortion can be a confusing process, but a quality provider is crucial for women to make good and informed health care decisions.

~ Kate Wilgruber