Everywhere, every day, abortions are taking place. Worldwide, more than half of all unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Unfortunately, conversations around abortions are still shrouded in stigma and silence. However, the lived experiences of those who have had an abortion deserve acknowledgement and can be powerful tools in destigmatizing abortions. These stories are not just about a medical procedure; they’re about those who navigated barriers to accessing reproductive care, confronted societal and familial restrictions and made choices that were right for them.
In this blog, we share real-life stories from individuals who have had an abortion with pills. Through these stories, we hope to humanise conversations around abortions and offer support to those who may find solace in knowing they are not alone.
Jane, Ghana
“Pregnancy does not mean childbirth when you are not ready. You always have options.”
I was old enough but I knew I was not ready to be a parent. My experience began with morning sickness and a pit feeling in my stomach. Initially, the symptoms were similar to how I feel when I get malaria so I assumed that was what it was. However, I decided to test for pregnancy before I started treating malaria. I bought five pregnancy test kits at the pharmacy and they all gave me positive results.
I was scared, unsure, and anxious, but my partner was very supportive of my decision and promised to be there with me through it all. This helped to ease some of my worries. I reached out to an abortion advocate on TikTok, who connected me with a reliable source to get the abortion pills. She also shared the link to a video series on how to self-manage the abortion to assist me with the process. I was worried it would be more difficult due to the stigma around abortions in my country. Fortunately, the pills were easy to get. Once I got the pills, I followed the instructions in the video. To be honest, it was a painful ordeal but having my partner around made it slightly better.
I will recommend having an abortion if you’re not ready to have a child. I will also advise any abortion seeker to follow accurate instructions on the use of the pills. It is also helpful to have a friend or family member around when going through the process. Pregnancy does not mean childbirth when you are not ready. You always have options.
Ana, Nigeria
“Do not use fear to continue a pregnancy that you will regret later and will make life harder.”
When I realized I was pregnant, I was very scared and my initial reaction was to continue with the pregnancy. However, after thinking about it, I realized I was not ready to give my child the life it deserves. It was actually a hard decision for me to make because I have always thought abortions were wrong. But I knew I had to do it. I reached out to an organization that deals with sexual and reproductive health and I was given the pills with instructions. I was an emotional wreck during the process. It was also a difficult process because I could not tell anyone about it since I was scared of being judged by the people around me. Moreover, in my situation, it is illegal to have abortions in my country so I had to be extra careful. My advice for anyone considering an abortion is that it is okay if you are not ready to support a child emotionally, financially, and mentally. Do not use fear to continue a pregnancy that you will regret later and that will make life harder.
Ama, Ghana
“My abortion with pills was safe and successful; yours can be too.”
I missed my period and I suspected right away that I was pregnant because I didn’t take any contraceptives after my last sexual encounter. I grew up in a strict Christian home so this was a very difficult time for me. I was crippled with so much fear and shame that I was unable to go to the pharmacy to buy the at-home pregnancy test kit. After a few days, I mustered courage and told my close friend about it. She offered to buy the test kits for me and be there with me no matter what. We bought two kits just to be sure and both came out positive. There was no hesitation about my decision. Even though I was certain about what I wanted, I was scared because I had heard so many bad stories about abortions growing up. I also had a friend who went through it the year before and had some complications. However, my partner was supportive. He spoke to a health care provider who got us the pills and gave him instructions as well. He was not around for the abortion itself, but I had my close friend who cooked, helped me clean, and supported me through it. It was a painful experience. Knowing what I know now, the only thing I would have done differently was to do more research about how to use the pills.
For anyone out there considering an abortion, I want to let you know that it is not as scary as people make it out to be. All I will advise you to do is do enough research, get the right medication and follow reliable instructions. If you’re scared to be alone, you can look for a health care provider to assist you. My abortion with pills was safe and successful; yours can be too.
Abortions with pills are common. It is health care. It is self care and we are always available to assist you or anyone you know to have a safe abortion with pills. If you have already had an abortion and have questions about your experience, our sisters at safe2choose have trained abortion counsellors who can assist you and answer any questions you may have.
If you are planning on self-managing your abortion at home, this video series has all you need to know about the abortion with pills process.