I received a safe and legal abortion when an unplanned pregnancy followed not long after the birth of my second child. Because I was treated with respect and care, and because the choice to end the pregnancy fit with my life plan and my core values, the event was not traumatic.

I shared this fact in one of my books (I’m an author) and in a woman’s magazine where I was a contributing editor. I received hate mail and even a death threat. The rage was evoked not by my choice to terminate the pregnancy, but rather by my unapologetic sharing that I was not in emotional pain or distress about my decision or the procedure. I simply felt gratitude and relief. I cannot imagine the terror of being forced to carry and birth a child involuntarily.