“When I became pregnant, I knew in every capacity I would not be able to physically, emotionally, and financially look after a child.”
This person shares their story of accessing a surgical abortion around a decade ago. At the time, they had not yet been diagnosed with some long-term health conditions, and were in an abusive relationship. They say their abortion gave them freedom.
I had my abortion via surgery when I was 23.
I had left my small town, after growing up working class and in the care system. I saved and worked for years to move to London and to escape poverty.
“The pill failed us.”
I had been in London and with my partner for one year, when the pill had failed us and I became pregnant. I was naive and emotionally very immature for 23. I hadn’t yet been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism.
“I was able to not be tied to an abusive person.”
Something was off with my partner too, but I didn’t know quite what. It took a friend taking me aside to realise I was in an abusive relationship with a drug addict. When I became pregnant, I knew in every capacity I would not be able to physically, emotionally, and financially look after a child.
Now aged 33, I am to look back with less rose-tinted glasses. My abortion meant I was able to not be tired to an abusive person struggling with addiction, an environment that took up my entire childhood.
“My abortion…gave me freedom.”
It meant my unborn child wasn’t born into poverty. When, a year later, I was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease it meant my unborn child wasn’t brought up by one chronically ill neurodiverse parent who wouldn’t have been to cope with the demands of a child.
My abortion allowed me to end generational trauma and gave me freedom. I feel my abortion was the biggest protection and grace I could’ve given my unborn child.
How to get in touch
We are here for you. If you, or someone you know, is affected by this topic, you can contact us on 0345 300 8090 to discuss your options.
Our teams will support you at every step of the treatment. Counselling is also available before, during, and after treatment.
There are several other resources that may be useful to you:
• The charity Refuge supports people facing abuse of any kind.
• You can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline 24/7 on 0808 2000 247.
Read more abortion stories
Sharing stories is at the heart of ending the stigma that too many people still feel when it comes to abortion.
