I"M GLAD I CHOSE LIFE FOR ME & MY BABY
(A true story about abortion)
I knew from firsthand experience how tough it was to raise a child as a single mother. I already had a two-year-old daughter from an earlier unsuccessful marriage. When my pregnancy was confirmed, my boyfriend’s non-committal response to my distress and his move 400 miles away, left me discouraged and convinced that abortion was the “easy way out.”
I was already struggling financially with one child. How could I raise two?
I decided to confide in a couple of college professors who collected money to fly me out of town to have an abortion. Now I felt obligated to go through with it.
I was called to the room where the abortions were performed. I could hear a woman crying hysterically in the recovery room. That memory still haunts me.
As the doctor was examining me prior to performing the abortion, he suddenly stopped and said to the nurse, “Get her out of here—she’s too far along!” Relief instantly washed over me! How odd. I had thought I wanted an abortion, but now felt instantly relieved to know I was still pregnant.
I decided to collect every ounce of courage to deal with my pregnancy. My doubt turned into love for my preborn daughter, Melanie. It took energy and creativity to support the three of us, but my two daughters inspired me to do great things. I finished my degree; then I went on to get my Master’s and Ph.D.
I cannot promise that it will be easy. I can only promise that the fear and distress will pass and that there are people who will help you through this trying time. One day you will look back on the birth of your child and know that you did the right thing.
–Dr. Angela Woodhull
