Hi, My Name Is Shannon.
Hi. I'm Shannon and I had a medication abortion in Illinois in 2021.
I found out I was pregnant when I was on birth control (a copper IUD) and I missed my period. I took two pregnancy tests and was shocked when they were positive. I was in such disbelief, because the birth control was supposed to be super effective, that I went to an urgent care that day to take another test and the doctor confirmed it. My first thought was, "I don't know what to do.” I decided to have a medication abortion because of many factors. The day I found out I was pregnant, I overdrew my checking account. My boyfriend and I had only been together for a couple of months at the time and we weren't living together, I was living with a roommate I barely knew. I had also just started a new job at a school district and per their policy, I would not be eligible for maternity leave for another year and if I had a baby, I'd have to quit or go back to work after my 10 days of sick leave ended. It was honestly not an easy decision.
I received my abortion pills through a clinic.
From start to finish, the process was helpful, emotional, and empowering. I took the pills at my apartment when my roommate was at work and when my boyfriend was with me, and I felt scared at first and didn't know what to expect. It was painful but manageable, and I had a lot of mixed emotions. It was a comfort to be able to do it at home and have the support of my partner. What surprised me most was my choice to have an abortion. I always told myself that I believed everybody had the right to make that choice, but I couldn't imagine making that choice myself. It reminded me that you don't truly know how you'll react or behave in a tough situation until you actually face it yourself.
Because I had access to medication abortion, I was able to keep my job and eventually got a job that pays better so that we bought a condo. I also am still with my partner, five years later, and we are married. I am not worried about overdrawing my checking account anymore. I felt sad but also relieved. Sad that I wasn't in the right place to be a mother then, but relieved that I was able to continue with my life and my relationships.
I'm sharing my story because people need to know the honest truth about medication abortion and nobody should feel shameful about having an abortion.
Medication abortion Is healthcare and it is a human right.
