10.23.2013
Media

In 1961 at the age of 19 and still living at home with my parents, I had an illegal back alley abortion and began to slowly bleed almost to death. At that time in my life, I would rather be dead than pregnant.
I did finally go see a doctor who asked no questions, & did not judge me and put me in the hospital for a D&C that stopped the bleeding. By that time, I had bled for weeks and had lost muscle control.
I remember reports of women dying from perforated uterus due to coat hanger abortions and the reports of babies found in trash cans. We should never go back to those days.
I know there are still women who feel like I did and would still risk death rather than carry a pregnancy they do not want to term. They should have the right to a risk free abortion.
If you go back to making them illegal, they will still be done, just back in the back alleys where more women will die.