Hi, My Name Is Erin.

Hi. I'm Erin, and I had a medication abortion in California in 2019.

I found out I was pregnant when I missed my period while in a very new relationship, and my first thought was: "I pretty much didn’t think I could get pregnant because I had never even had a pregnancy scare in 25 years since starting my period."I decided to have a medication abortion because I had never wanted to have children, and I was in a very new relationship and was not planning for it to be long-term. I was a traveling physical therapist at the time and had dreams to continue traveling solo, eventually ending up in Hawaii. I’m so glad I made that choice because the man I was dating at the time ended up being manipulative and emotionally abusive.

I received my abortion pills from an organization.

From start to finish, the process was private and necessary. I took the pills at my boyfriend’s house, and I felt somewhat safe, but I wish I had been with one of my childhood friends back in Maryland. What surprised me most was how easy the staff at Planned Parenthood made it for me during a very difficult and emotional time.

Because I had access to medication abortion, I was able to get away from my ex-boyfriend and go onto move to Hawaii, where I have been living for five years and have found a supportive community. I felt extremely relieved that I was living in a state where access was legal and easy.

I'm sharing my story because no woman should have to stay in a relationship or in a place that is not safe for her because of an unplanned pregnancy.

Medication abortion is healthcare.