Hi, My Name Is Claire.

Hi. I'm Claire and I had a medication abortion in Texas in 2020.

I found out I was pregnant when I started experiencing implantation pain and spotting, which I had experienced with my first pregnancy, and my first thought was: "I can't do this.” I decided to have a medication abortion because I had been struggling with my health, had been laid off due to the pandemic, and already had one child with my partner. We wanted children in the future, but my body was not up for it at the time and the timing wasn't good for our family financially either.

I received my abortion pills through a clinic.

From start to finish, the process was arduous and stressful. I took the pills at home, and I felt very little physical and emotional discomfort with the medication process itself. What surprised me most was how much it was just like having my period, since I was only about 6 weeks into my pregnancy.

Because I had access to medication abortion, I was able to focus on getting back to better health and being there for my first child quickly. I felt very empowered and relieved to have been able to make this choice for myself, supported by my partner.

I'm sharing my story because the process was difficult enough for me in Texas at the time, with a forced vaginal ultrasound and two visits to the clinic with a 24-hour waiting period, which made the whole process much harder and stressful than it needed to be. Knowing that the process is simple and safe enough to do at home with support could be helpful for others who live with more restrictions than I had at the time.

Medication abortion is normal, safe, and effective. I want people to be safe and sure that they seek medical help if anything abnormal occurs, but my experience was smooth and easy once I took the medication and I absolutely support this route for those who want to choose early term abortion.