Pre-Roe v. Wade Voices
My abortion story precedes Roe V Wade. In 1971 I was 16. I was a very politically savvy young high school student. I knew that I was going to some day leave my working class roots in Ohio and make something of myself. I saw myself being a lawyer, a political activist. But then I fell in love. Or what passed for love to my hormonally driven self. The boy I was with was really a friend. I was friends with him and two other boys. One was gay, one wasn't interested in me sexually and he , well, he was. I had helped other friends get illegal abortions and really thought I had this sex thing under control. But I didn't .
After many months of "nearly" we "really" did it. And I panicked. I told him that maybe we should slow down, assuming that he would want me. He didn't. A month later I realized that I could quite possibly be pregnant. I talked to another male friend who helped me get a pregnancy test done at the public clinic. The clinic also asked me to be examined for STDs. It was horrible. There were medical students training and it was a very cold affair.
I was incredibly ashamed-not so much at the sex, but at being so stupid. I was supposed to be a bright clever girl. Why was I not prepared? I adored my boyfriend's family and was concerned that they would look down on me. I knew my parents expected me to go on to college and would be very disappointed.. And my boyfriend had still not "returned " to me.
So, I used the connections I had and made an appointment with a wonderful woman Ob-Gyn who risked her own reputation and license to help girls and women who could not afford to go to New York where it was legal. I had saved up baby sitting money for a trip and used that to pay for it. I went to the office with my friend who had helped me get the pregnancy test. The abortion was quick and only moderately painful. The doctor used dilation and suction. She was very kind afterward, but I needed to leave quickly as it was after hours.
I went home and I never told anyone about it until years later. I knew that I was doing the right thing, not just for me and the potential baby I would have had, but for the father. there are some who might think that was not my right, but it was what I felt had to do at the time. I did not want to be a teenaged mother and I knew that if he took responsibility it would have been because he was forced to. I do not regret it. It was the right thing to do.
I later dropped out of liberal arts college and went to nursing school. As a nurse I helped deliver babies and I also helped women through laminaria abortions. Every time I thought about that fetus I aborted, but never with guilt.
I eventually finished college, married and had two daughters. I am thankful that they will never have to search for a doctor as I did. I recently started being more public about this abortion, because I think that all women have the right to choose .. I recently told my 19 year old daughter about the abortion and also the boy I was involved with, who is now a middle aged man..
There is always a sense of wistfulness when I remember being a young
pregnant girl who had to make a huge decision quickly. I am proud of
her from this distance. My abortion helped make me who I am and I
never regret my decision.
Dina Wood, age 55
******************************