About the Project
Each year, millions of women have abortions, yet many feel secretive and alone in their decision. By bringing together personal stories, Project Voice hopes to establish a resource of sharing and support, and convey that abortion is a choice many women have made, and continue to make, for a variety of reasons. Women of all ages, races, religions, backgrounds, and circumstances have had abortions. The more women who share their stories here, the more accurately Project Voice can represent the multiplicities of abortion experiences.
-
Massachusetts, US
I totally don’t talk about—I think there’s an association that you’re a floozy or irresponsible. -
Maryland, US
We were using condoms and I was on birth control, so it was like a complete anomaly. -
California, US
I called my mom and told her that I would get the abortion if she would let me come home. -
Texas, US
Sometimes I feel like I made the right decision for my future, other times I feel guilty... -
Ohio, US
Yes, the scars are still there. The pain, regret and guilt haven't gone away completely. -
Queensland, AU
I walked out to find my bf standing right where I left him three hours ago. -
Pennsylvania, US
I wrote this two weeks after my abortion, on New Years Eve 2006. Now, in May of 2007, my thoughts have changed some. -
New York, US
A week later, I was sitting in Planned Parenthood with my Catholic, pro-life best friend and ex-boyfriend. -
Kansas, US
The term “rape” was definitely not a word I used often; I don’t think I even knew what it meant at the time. -
California, US
I have to separate the heartbreak from the loss of my relationship from the loss of the possible life we created. -
Texas, US
I haven't told anyone in person, but I am not ashamed. I am just scared of the people who want me to be ashamed. -
Oregon, US
It's not something I'm embarrassed about. I just wish it were something that people could talk about more freely. -
Montana, US
Today I took the first abortion pill. Tomorrow, at 3:00, I will have taken the last four pills to end my pregnancy. -
New York, US
I never thought that's the kind of decision I would ever have to make because I'm responsible, I come from a good family. -
Tennessee, US
The doctor gives me something to calm my nerves but it doesn’t help the screaming inside my head. -
United Kingdom
I feel more personally pro-life but more politically pro-choice than I could have ever possibly imagined. -
California, US
i always believed that abortion was a sin and that it was murder and anyone who had one was going to hell. -
North Dakota, US
I had to go back to the clinic, but I went to a different town because I felt embarrassed that it happened again... -
Missouri, US
I was so grateful that we came to the same conclusion and that I would have his unwavering support during such a terrifying time for us. -
Oregon, US
15 minutes after I took the pill, I started cramping really bad. I locked myself in my room and eventually fell asleep. -
Oregon, US
In the country where I was living, abortion was illegal and punishable by 10 years in prison. -
Minnesota, US
No place closer performed abortions at that late a date. Also, it would be about $2500. -
Canada
The act of terminating the pregnancy was not difficult, but dealing with other people was. -
Rhode Island, US
At 1:00 I'll take anti-nausea medication. At 1:30 I'll take the pills that open my cervix and cause my uterus to contract. -
Ohio, US
I chatted with the doctor and surgical assistant the entire time, and didn't think about what was happening. -
Alabama, US
As ashamed as I am to say it, I have had three abortions and am contemplating one at this very moment. -
Colorado, US
I felt alone and scared and had nobody to support me or care about what I wanted... -
South Africa
Last night was one of those. The ones where my mind just can't seem to stop running. -
Massachusetts, US
I was on the pill; he was on HRT, and I was supposed to be infertile (thanks a lot, gyno). -
Texas, US
I have one beautiful daughter, have had three miscarriages, and three previous abortions. -
North Carolina, US
Age 32 felt like a good time to have a child, so when I discovered myself pregnant I was excited. He wasn't... -
Georgia, US
I was 19 years old, and I had been with my bf for a bit less than a year and a half. -
New Jersey, US
He was like, I am not going to be a father. I am not going to help you. I am not going to give you money. -
Colorado, US
I wanted the baby to be named Cody if it was a girl or guy because that was my first love. -
Michigan, US
After my ultrasound, I was pulled in by a counselor who told me I wasn’t 12 weeks pregnant. I was actually 15 weeks and 4 days. -
New York, US
I had two little kids and was having a love affair, which was my escape from a tormented marriage. -
Missouri, US
We were to meet a driver at the New Yorker Hotel. The mystery man arrived and put us in a car. -
Washington, US
I believe that I had a baby inside me and I chose myself and my current children over that baby. -
New York, US
This was in 1962... The doctor said he would do it, that he wanted the money, and that I had to come back alone. -
California, US
He showed so much love and commitment to me, but the minute I got pregnant, I felt he no longer respected me. -
Oklahoma, US
Not until afterwards did I become angry that he did not express a clear opinion... -
California, US
There was no room for me to say, "Hey I'm really going through a tough time because of this." -
Idaho, US
The day came, and we said goodbye to our "son" that we had dubbed as Darius. We do not regret it. -
California, US
I love pregnancy, I love birth, I love babies, I love being a mama. But I was done. -
Cuba
I had three abortions at different times in my life. I guess my approach to each of them had been totally different. -
New York, US
It goes back to when I was married... around 1945... It was not legal. It was a secret. -
Pennsylvania, US
We called Planned Parenthood and set up an appointment for a medical abortion. -
Canada
I had an abortion when I was 14. It was the best thing I could possibly have done, and I still don't regret it to this day. -
Washington, US
Five months later, I see that I made my decision too quickly. I see now that I was only thinking of the father. -
Florida, US
I was told by a doctor that it was very unlikely that I could get pregnant without fertility treatments. -
Mississippi, US
There are always rumors of girls who had money that were able to get doctors to perform them at home. -
New York, US
When I walked to the bathroom, my toe tore a hole in the front of one [paper] slipper. That embarrassed me a little. -
California, US
I am with a new guy who knows nothing of this. I don’t think I could ever tell him, or anyone else for that matter. -
California, US
We had our problems, as everyone does, but we were your typical high school couple... -
Canada
Deciding to have an abortion, for myself and by myself, was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. -
![Img-20130612-00698[1]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/project_voice/stories/1451/small/IMG-20130612-00698[1].jpg?1371066674)
Ontario, CA
My boyfriend and I do not talk about it. I have not told my parents or even my sisters... -
California, US
I previously believed that people who accidentally got pregnant were careless and irresponsible. -
Arizona, US
My abortion was actually quite empowering, and I know how that might sound to some people. -
Illinois, US
When I got home, my parents told me that if I wanted to keep it I would have to move out because they couldn't help me. -
Massachusetts, US
It was very clear to me that I wanted to do this on my own. I didn't want anyone to influence my decision or be involved. -
Washington, US
I had the first procedure when I was 19 years old. I already had one child-- my daughter was 8 months old.
.jpg?1357250608)
