From a collection of first-hand testimonies from women. These were gathered from a survey done by Priests for Life. They can be found on the Priests for Life website.
Share on FacebookMy family Doctor had referred me to a Psychiatrist in 1963, and when I became pregnant in 1965, they said I couldn’t have the baby because of the stress involved and reminded me of the 4 kids I already had. I don’t remember ANY of that abortion. In 1967, another pregnancy and Drs. said the same thing, except for the Psychiatrist who said I could make it. The other one, and my family Dr., and Pastor, urged me to abort, but I fought them off until the 12th week. Finally I had [an] abortion.
I felt cheated and violated and angry and after recovery (I had a tubal ligation after that one), I went to my 2nd mental hospital, where after 30 days my husband was told I’d probably never come home again. I was out in 6 months.
I made up my mind to forgive myself and others, and over time I’ve learned to live with the fact that I took 2 human lives, but not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about those 2 babies and wondered about them. I also dream about babies A LOT – and have since I had my abortions.My Dr. told me those pregnancies consisted only of “blobs – not real babies.” Just a few years prior to that he told me my Father was dead because he had no brain waves – (no electrical activity showed up on the EEG after his stoke) – Those babies I aborted had brain waves according to the medical articles I’ve read, yet he said they weren’t alive.
It just doesn’t make sense.
I’ve often resented the lack of information given to me by my Doctor. It wasn’t anywhere near adequate. Had I gotten it I’d have never agreed to those abortions.
They showed me how dependant on other people’s opinions I was, and I realized how much of a people pleaser I’ve always been, and how I had put Doctors on a pedestal and thought of them as “Gods.” I’m a more aware person now and more assertive and “challenging” where Drs. are concerned.