Abortion care before Roe v. Wade

PPMM Storyteller, Jackie from Sacramento, shares her experience getting abortion care in Mexico before the Roe v. Wade ruling protected the right to have abortions in the U.S.

Back in 1965, with three children and an often irritable husband, I became pregnant again while nursing my eight-month-old baby. My oldest child was not yet four. I knew I could not stay sane if I had one more child to take care of.

I was told by a friend that taking two birth control pills a day would end the pregnancy, but that did not happen. Then I was frightened that the child might have unusual sexual problems because the birth control pill hormones. So we decided to find a place for an illegal abortion.

A friend told us about a place in Mexico where they were available. We borrowed money from my parents -- $500, at that time, a lot of money -- and went to Mexico where we were directed to a small office. My husband had to stay there while I went with four other women, blindfolded, around the streets of Tijuana and ended up in a hospital setting.

I had the abortion without anesthetic and was driven back to the office, where my husband was still waiting, and we drove home. It was terrifying, but the alternative was also terrifying to me. At some point you just take a risk. Luckily, it turned out all right.

Because abortions were illegal, I felt I could not tell my doctor about this choice, and I still feel that way. There was shame involved with the decision, but I know that it was the right one for me. I later volunteered at Planned Parenthood to help women with birth-control options.