Former Pro-Choice Woman Speaks Out
My abortion was “physically traumatizing and emotionally painful”
Editor’s Note: The author of this article has requested to be identified as Abby. Here is her personal story.
I am a 26-year-old, working as a weather forecaster in Washington,
D.C. I have experienced a traumatizing medical abortion and am a recent
convert to the pro-life movement.
At the start of my college career, I got involved in women’s right
groups with my friends and strongly supported abortion for all women at
their discretion. I saw nothing wrong with someone wanting to pursue all
the opportunities that she could. My view has changed dramatically
after my own personal experience:
A year ago I went to an OBGYN and said I needed a termination of
pregnancy. I was “only” six weeks pregnant, but at 25 I had no job, and
my parents couldn’t really afford to look after me, so I decided that
termination would be the most appropriate course of action.
My boyfriend had no opinion either way, and I didn’t tell anyone
else. The doctor was quite cheerful, examined me, and was all too
helpful to do blood tests and explain the abortion-inducing pill
procedure without even mentioning counseling, talking to a friend, or
asking about my mental health. This pill is claimed to be the “safest”
and “most convenient” method for early termination. I thought, “Great,
it’s all over in three days!” and went on my merry way.
First pill down, no side effects. Forty-eight hours later, time for
second pill. One hour after that, I was screaming and crying, writhing
in agony on the floor. I couldn’t move; I was on the verge of passing
out; I couldn’t even see – blinded by the pain.
My boyfriend picked me up and rushed me to the emergency room, where I
waited, still sobbing and thrashing with pain. When the triage doctor
finally saw me, my blood pressure was dangerously low, and my heart rate
was all over the chart.
When I told him about the abortion, he callously said that I would be
“fine” and pricked me with a needle to jolt my blood pressure higher –
but still dramatically low. I was sick for two more days, drugged up on
the heavy-duty painkillers that the ER doctor had prescribed for me.
When I returned to the OBGYN a week later and told him about my
ordeal and severe reaction, he just looked at me questioningly and said,
“You seem all right; you didn’t bleed out.” No sympathy, no concern.
These “convenient,” “safe,” and “easy” medical abortions are
downright dangerous. After researching (which I admittedly should have
done beforehand), I have found that there is nothing “safe” about them –
hemorrhage, massive drop in blood pressure, and shock are just some of
the plethora of side effects.
My agonizing experience, not to mention the intense guilt I still
feel (for I’m sure the baby was in agony as well), has made
me realize that abortions do nothing more than hurt the mother and the baby.
I no longer believe that abortion is “pro-woman.” It only serves to
burden our minds and hurt our bodies. If the doctor
had recommended counseling, or if I had spoken to my parents, I am
almost sure that I would have kept my baby. Perhaps not – but if I’d
known about what I was going to put myself through, I definitely would
have thought twice.
Post Abortion Stress Syndrome affects everyone! Whole families can be affected by this one decision, usually made in haste. It is not to be taken lightly and there are many great organizations available to help. I’ve included links to two of these organizations for those who may need assistance or may know someone who is suffering and in need of assistance.
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