Hi, My Name Is Mary.

Hi. I'm Mary and I had a medication abortion in California in 2008.

I found out I was pregnant when I missed my perod, and my first thought was, "How the heck did my brth control fail?!” I decided to have a medication abortion because I was dating an alcoholic who was abusive and who had purposely tampered with my birth control to trap me. I was in college and didn't want to have to drop out only to spend my life tethered to him, fearing for my life and for a child's safety.

I received my abortion pills through a clinic.

From start to finish, the process was easy, sad, emotional. I took the pills at home, and I felt sad but relieved--I always wanted to be a mom, but this is not how I wanted it to happen. What surprised me most was how alone I felt--my boyfriend had freaked out when I ended up pregnant even though it was by his doing, and I endured everything alone.

Because I had access to medication abortion, I was able to continue my college career and graduate, as well as leave that abusive relationship. I felt safe and free.

I'm sharing my story because no one should feel ashamed or go through this alone.

Medication abortion allowed me to continue my life and go on to become a mom on my own terms in my own time.