During the first trimester of my pregnancy in 1983, I had planned to carry to term. I was single, had just finished college, and I was alone and scared. One day the fear overtook me. I scheduled an abortion in a local hospital the next morning. My baby was 4 ½ months gestation. 

The same physician who was my obstetrician became my son’s executioner. I didn't really want to have an abortion, but the circumstances seemed too large for me.  My Doctor didn't ask any questions about my obvious ambivalence, and I was not offered any counsel on alternatives to abortion. I was not given any information regarding either medical or psychological risks. 

I thought I could end the torment of the crisis by having an abortion. What I found out is that I entered into a much greater torment of depression, grief, and guilt. I spent about 10 years of my life trying to numb the pain of my abortion through drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy relationships. I was so emotionally debilitated that I was unable to focus on completion of tasks or to accomplish goals. My motivation was so severely reduced that I lost my business and most of my possessions. I was isolated in the shame of my pain, and I did not know that what I was experiencing was common to other women who had aborted their babies, especially those who have late-term abortions. I suffered such severe depression that it led to two suicide attempts.