Go to Content Go to Navigation Go to Navigation Go to Site Search Homepage

There are no “bad” reasons to get an abortion. 

The majority of people in this country support legal abortion.

Nearly one in four women* in America will have an abortion by age 45. Every day, people across the country make their own decisions about their pregnancies for reasons that are deeply personal. Politics has no place in these decisions.

Want to share your story on social media? Use the hashtag #WhateverTheReason to emphasize that every decision, for whatever reason, deserves respect.

Read the stories below — and if you have your own to share, we’d love to read it. Your story can make a difference. Share your experiences of:

  • Having an abortion

  • Being a patient escort

  • Driving a loved one to an appointment

  • Lending money to someone for an abortion

  • Providing child care during a friend's appointment

  • Supporting a loved one through their abortion in other ways, especially when there are so many barriers to access abortion outside of bans. 

*Not just women get abortions! This statistic is from non-disaggregated data.

Your story can make a difference.

SHARE YOUR STORY

"At a routine 20 week ultrasound, my husband and I found out that the baby had several heart defects." — Menaca, Texas

"Twenty years ago, at age 31, I had a 3 and a half year old son and was pregnant with my second child. At a routine 20 week ultrasound my husband and I found out that the baby had several heart defects. We went to see several specialists to see if his heart could be fixed after he was born.  They told us that he would continue to live and grow in utero, but would die after birth.  His heart had too many problems to fix.  They could not tell us how long he would live, but that he would be in pain since he did not have a fully functioning heart.   We decided to spare him the suffering and interrupted the pregnancy at 22 weeks. 

I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy who weighed 1 pound.  My husband and I held him until he passed away and even for a while afterward.  It was a heartbreaking choice to let him go, but it was my choice and my husband’s choice with input from medical professionals.  No government has the right to have a say in such personal and life altering decisions.  Terminations were allowed until 24 weeks in Texas at that time.  A woman today in Texas does not have the option I had. "

"I was taking birth control pills but was not careful enough." ⁠⁠— Sally, Texas

"I was just married at age 20 and had not finished college. My husband was a private in the US Army and we knew we would be moving and starting over again as soon as he got out of the Army. We were kids ourselves! I was taking birth control pills but was not careful enough. Sometimes my husband would be gone for weeks at a time and I stupidly thought I could skip taking the pill while he was gone. I ended up pregnant. This was 1974! I went to the doctor on base and I don't remember much after that except that some doctor showed me a picture of a fetus and asked me if I was sure I wanted to terminate the pregnancy. I glanced at the picture and replied that I wanted to proceed. There was no discussion or conversation. No mandated waiting or counseling. I was admitted to the hospital and treated as any surgical patient; wheeled into an operating room, knocked out with anesthesia, woke up in a recovery room, and went home a few hours later. I have NEVER regretted this decision, in fact it's probably why we stayed married for 49 years and are financially and emotionally stable. I was never shamed, harassed, or hassled. No one tried to interfere with my choice. I was so lucky! I am distraught that we are at this point in the USA and especially Texas."

"As a young woman, I knew I was in danger physically with my ex-boyfriend and medically with the pregnancy, so I made the final decision to have the abortion." ⁠— Mallory, Texas

"At 19 I became pregnant by my abusive ex-boyfriend against my will. I had no idea I was pregnant until I started to have a sharp cramping sensation in my side and went to the clinic to make sure I did not have an ovarian cyst. Instead of a cyst from my PCOS, I was told I was five weeks pregnant. As a young college student in a small west Texas town, I was surrounded by many judgmental people who used God to justify what happened to me and only cared about the future of the baby instead of my own. A week after my clinic appointment, I went for an ultrasound and was told my pregnancy would be high risk. Nobody in my community could give me guidance on what my true options were now with my health at risk. That was until I called Planned Parenthood who gave me information on all avenues I could take.

As a young woman, I knew I was in danger physically with my ex-boyfriend and medically with the pregnancy, so I made the final decision to have the abortion. At a clinic I was able to speak to a medical professional who explained and walked me through the process of my abortion in the form of pills. They cared for me and made sure that it was my decision and most importantly that I would be safe when I took the pills. I am thankful every day for Planned Parenthood for giving me the freedom to make my decision and reach my goals. This year I will be graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and have landed my dream job of working in critical care, where I advocate for girls who were once in my situation.

"I was pregnant with twin girls, the product of IVF frozen embryos. We were over the moon excited, and scared." ⁠— Janet, Texas

"I went through years of infertility procedures including 13 IVF's. I was pregnant with twin girls, the product of IVF frozen embryos. We were over the moon excited, and scared. I had lost 5 pregnancies. I went to the dentist for a dental cleaning. He failed to call my doctor and tell him that I had some gum abscessing. He introduced that bacteria into my bloodstream resulting in sepsis. I went into labor. I was very sick and nearly died. I was 21 weeks pregnant. (Also I was a NICU nurse, so this was my world). They tried to treat me and stop the labor and the sepsis. I delivered Alyssa and she died in my arms. Then, my labor stopped with the medication. However, I was so septic, my blood pressure dropped out, I went into Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. They told my husband they were taking the choice away from us, I was going to die if they did not deliver Erin and do a D and C. She, of course, died too. Alyssa and Erin are buried together. I stayed in the hospital critically ill for 4 more days. The devastation we felt was overwhelming. If this (Texas heartbeat law) ridiculously cruel law were in effect when that happened, they would have had to let me die. Medical care needs to be decided by medical professionals. It is not one politician or government officials decision. They act as if we, women, are heartless, irresponsible and incapable of making our own medical decisions. This is not the Handmaid's Tale. This is our lives. Our bodies, our choices must be the rule everywhere."

"Planned Parenthood was there for me when I had no idea where to turn. I was 23 years old and ended up with an unexpected pregnancy." ⁠— Erin, Texas

"Planned Parenthood was there for me when I had no idea where to turn. I was 23 years old and ended up with an unexpected pregnancy. My partner and I were not in a serious relationship and I was only earning $22K per year at an unstable job. On top of that, I was undergoing Interferon treatments for a rare bone tumor disease. The fetus would not have survived and my own health was seriously compromised. I didn't find out I was pregnant until 7 weeks and already had two active tumors that needed surgery. The care I received at PP was compassionate, knowledgeable, and affordable. The only time I felt judged and terrified was when anti-choice protestors yelled at me that I was going to hell for murder as I entered the building. I was raised in a strict religious home and already felt too ashamed to tell my parents. The nurses and professionals inside PP showed me more Christian love than I had ever experienced at my church. Twenty years later, I no longer feel ashamed because it was MY choice what to do with my body. I don't regret that choice, not even for a second because my life now is better for it. It breaks my heart that Texas passed this terribly restrictive bill. Outlawing or bounty hunting abortion will not stop it from happening. It will only increase the systemic racism and cycle of poverty for women who can't afford to travel out of state, are forced to carry to term, and then aren't able to find social services for assistance because the same men who feel they can tell women what to do with their bodies have pillaged social service budgets. But as we all know, this has never been about saving unborn children. It's about controlling women. When will men be held accountable?"

“I wanted to pursue my career, be a more established parent, and couldn’t afford a child." ⁠— Brittany, Washington, DC

“In August 2012, I just graduated from college, started my professional career at a government agency, and moved in with three roommates. I also found out I was 2 1/2 months pregnant. I already knew what my decision was. I used my choice and decided to terminate my pregnancy. I went to Planned Parenthood in DC with my partner.

In the waiting room, I felt like had inflicted a self-derogatory mark or scarlet letter on myself because I was getting an abortion. In my case, I knew being a parent wasn’t for me at the time. I wanted to pursue my career, be a more established parent, and couldn’t afford a child. As I thought about my choice, I became more affirmed. I had 3 roommates in a three bedroom apartment. The crib couldn't go in the living room. I was eliminating a cycle of poverty. I was the only person employed in my relationship. My partner was a 5th year senior in college. We couldn't afford a child on my salary alone.

I didn't see a foreseeable future with that partner, we never talked about having kids and we wouldn’t make a good parenting team. Most importantly I was affirmed in my values. Providing the best life for my child as a financially stable, older, and more established parent. My doctor gave me pills for the medication abortion, a prescription for birth control, and medical school advice. Six years later, I'm a career woman, a Master's of Public Health candidate, and a future doctor. I'm also in a loving relationship with a partner with whom I foresee a future. In my experience at Planned Parenthood, I received the best care possible and exercised my choice.”

“The reasons an individual decides to have an abortion are personal and private, but the fact that some are unable to access care should be public concern.” — Leah, Iowa

“I grew up in a conservative, religious community in Iowa. I have struggled with my mental health for well over a decade. I have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety. I attempted suicide when I was just 12 years old. My mental health is now my priority, and I will do whatever I need to protect it. So when I found out I was pregnant two years ago— recently single, a week into a new job, alone in a new city — I never questioned what I would do. My very first thought was that I wanted to die. My next was that I needed to have an abortion. Risking my recovery and giving up everything I have worked for wasn’t an option. I put my mental health first. 

I had my abortion when I was 7 weeks along. About a year ago, Iowa passed a law banning abortion from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected. Thankfully, in January a state judge ruled the law against Iowa’s constitution. Iowa lawmakers would have forced me to carry my pregnancy to term — a woman struggling with an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety. The reasons an individual decides to have an abortion are personal and private, but the fact that some are unable to access care should be public concern. When I needed an abortion, I had so many privileges: a flexible work schedule, private health insurance, financial stability, working car to carry me across state lines if I needed, and a support network.

There are millions of people who don’t have those things, and abortion should not be a privilege.”

"I will forever be grateful to Planned Parenthood for the opportunity to live again.” — Sam, Alabama

“My story is hard to hear, harder to tell. One thing I know for certain is that I would not be here today if it weren't for Planned Parenthood and the compassionate staff. A former friend/coworker turned rapist decided that he would take me to my bedroom and rape me while I was inebriated. I woke up the next day bleeding and confused. I moved through life for a month and a half feeling sick to my stomach.

By early March, I knew something was off. My period hadn't come for two months. I took a pregnancy test. Then I took another. And another. This nightmare couldn't be real. But it was. Positive. I had to bite my shower curtain to keep from screaming as I crumbled onto my bathroom floor. I knew that if I couldn't end this pregnancy, it would end me. I would never bring his child into the world. I couldn't. With abortion being so stigmatized, I thought no one would understand.

Luckily, I remembered my best friend's saving words — the clinic downtown. I am recovering everyday and getting stronger, and I will forever be grateful to Planned Parenthood for the opportunity to live again.”

"I simply wasn't ready to have a child." — Victoria, California

"I simply wasn't ready to have a child when I had my first abortion. I was married and 25, but did not want a child then. Same with my second one. The thought of an unwanted pregnancy made me feel stifled. I was horrified. A few years later at age 32, I was so happy to have my first child. "

"My stepfather abused me from age 8 to 17. At 15 I became pregnant." — Donna, Georgia

"My stepfather abused me from age 8 to 17. At 15 I became pregnant and lied to my mother that it was my boyfriend's. I had an abortion because the mental and physical abuse I endured continued afterwards. No one should have the right to tell me what I can and cannot do with my body. I didn't have a choice as a child. That right was forcibly taken. I will fight today for my body's rights!"

"Having autonomy over my own body has made me a stronger person and has allowed me to be the healthiest I have ever been." — J, Idaho

"I was in a relationship for four years. Looking back now, the relationship was emotionally abusive and manipulative. My ex was careless and I became pregnant. I was excited and thought it would bring us closer. It wasn't until he bullied me and became more emotionally abusive that I realized I needed to get out. I made the choice to terminate my pregnancy and leave the situation. It was incredibly emotionally healing to cut ties and have no connection to him any longer. I was able to move on, fix my mental health, and get an amazing job. I also met the love of my life, got married, and now we have a beautiful baby girl who we love and adore. Having autonomy over my own body has made me a stronger person and has allowed me to be the healthiest I have ever been."

"Being so young and barely getting by financially, I was in no position whatsoever to have a child." — Tracy, California

"When I was 20 I had an abortion. Being so young and barely getting by financially, I was in no position whatsoever to have a child. Because of the right to choose what is right for my own body, I am now in a loving, incredible relationship with my husband. I am so thankful for the women who fought for my right to my own body and I cannot fathom that this RIGHT is being challenged."

Find an abortion clinic. 

If you need an abortion, we’re here to help. Locate an abortion provider at abortionfinder.org or call 1-800-230-PLAN. 

Even though 80% of people in America support the right to legal abortion, politicians are launching cruel abortion restrictions that make access to abortion extremely difficult or impossible for millions of people. 

Trusted care, every step of the way

STD testing, birth control, abortion, and more in-person and online.

We and our third partners use cookies and other tools to collect, store, monitor, and analyze information about your interaction with our site to improve performance, analyze your use of our sites and assist in our marketing efforts. You may opt out of the use of these cookies and other tools at any time by visiting Cookie Settings. By clicking “Allow All Cookies” you consent to our collection and use of such data, and our Terms of Use. For more information, see our Privacy Notice.

Cookie Settings

We, and our third-party partners, use cookies, pixels, and other tracking technologies to collect, store, monitor, and process certain information about you when you access and use our services, read our emails, or otherwise engage with us. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences, or your device. We use that information to make the site work, analyze performance and traffic on our website, to provide a more personalized web experience, and assist in our marketing efforts. We also share information with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners. You can change your default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of required cookies when utilizing our site; this includes necessary cookies that help our site to function (such as remembering your cookie preference settings). For more information, please see our Privacy Notice.

Marketing

On

We use online advertising to promote our mission and help constituents find our services. Marketing pixels help us measure the success of our campaigns.

User Feedback and Session Replay

On

We use qualitative data from LogRocket, UserZoom, Hotjar and AB Tasty to learn about your user experience and improve our products and services. LogRocket allows us to view session replays.