Hi, My Name Is Sarah.

Hi. I'm Sarah and I had a medication abortion in Washington in 2009.

I found out I was pregnant when my body was giving me a lot of signs even before I had missed a period, so once I was officially ‘late', I took a home test with a positive result and my first thought was, "OH FUCK NO! I am not having a kid.” I decided to have a medication abortion because I had never wanted kids or seen them as a part of my life, but when I felt like I might be pregnant I was over 30 with a stable economic situation, so I thought I should at least go through some pros and cons, maybe I'd been too hasty. But when I saw that positive test, it was immediately clear. Being a mother is not for me, never will be. Since I'm not a big fan of doctors or clinical settings, I opted for the medication abortion option.

I received my abortion pills through an organization.

From start to finish, the process was smooth and private. I get overly stressed about doctor visits, but the organization made it very easy on me, with a quick visit to confirm pregnancy and get the pills, then a follow-up afterward, where everything was fine. They kept me relaxed and let me manage the abortion myself, which was helpful. I took the pills at home, on my couch, and I felt nervous because I didn't know what to expect, but also safe and in control of my own experience. What surprised me most was how bad the cramps were, because I've never really had much period cramping so it was new for me. But in the years since, the most surprising is how little I've thought back on it.

Because I had access to medication abortion, I was able to keep my life on the path I wanted. Since that time I've done great things in my career, travelled the world, and been very satisfied with life in general. I felt relieved, and freed to be who and where I'm supposed to be in life.

I'm sharing my story because people need to understand the reality. I was stressed about getting an abortion because I had no idea what it would be like, or how I would feel about it afterward, but it was the best decision I could have possibly made. And over the years I've gotten some judgment, even from pro-choice people, about having had an abortion. We need the stigma to go away.

Medication abortion is a life-changing wonder drug. The actual process had some pain, but it wasn't scary, I felt in control because I could manage the process myself. And it allowed me live my one, precious life in the way that is right for me, without an unwanted child.