Hi, My Name Is Annie.
Hi. I'm Annie, and I had a medication abortion in the United Kingdom in 2023.
I found out I was pregnant when I was feeling very unwell and went to the doctors, who ran some tests and told me I was pregnant, and my first thought was: "Devastated. I had been taking the pill and had not been told that my IBS could prevent it from absorbing properly, so I had no idea that I wasn’t fully protected. I was already a single mum, and my ex had become addicted to crack, so I’d left him, meaning I’d have to provide for 2 children solo and affect the lifestyle and opportunities I was providing for my child, who is here, with emotions and reasoning who would be severely affected, and his dreams I plan to help him with would be crushed. I knew right away this wasn’t good for either of us ."
I decided to have a medication abortion because I did not want to bring another child into the world and plunge not only them, but my 12-year-old into poverty and remove all the opportunities I’ve worked so hard to be able to give him. And snatch his future plans away from him, so that I wouldn’t be able to afford to support him through. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I’m glad I did it.
I received my abortion pills from a clinic.
From start to finish, the process was very straightforward. Once I was approved, I had my appointments within days and was given all the information I needed to make an informed decision. I took the pills at home, and I felt slightly uncomfortable, like a very bad period, but nowhere near as painful as I’d expected. It was very quick, and I was able to resume normal activities the next day. What surprised me most was the lack of discomfort and how quick the process was.
Because I had access to medication abortion, I was able to keep my career and keep my son out of poverty and thriving. I felt relieved like a weight off my shoulders.
I'm sharing my story because if women lose autonomy over their own bodies, it opens them up to abuse and poverty.
Medication abortion is not a one-size-fits-all and is definitely beneficial for some women, and they should have the opportunity to decide that for themselves.
