I was a 29 year old doctor when my birth control failed and I became pregnant.

Yes. I am a doctor.

I talk to women about birth control frequently. I work with mostly women, mothers and children. I have even helped other women give birth to their babies. The thing is, I do not want to be a mother.

It is an unpopular opinion to have as a woman, not wanting children. If I share this sentiment I’m met with “Oh when you meet the right person you’ll change your mind”
Or
“That’s so selfish”
“Who will take care of you when you’re old?”
And “What are you going to do if you don’t have children?”

All of these rebuttals are ridiculous. If I was a man and said I didn’t want children no one would say boo. But as a woman I’m expected to want to be a mother. But I don’t, there are other things I want to do in life and I’m happy with that.

Motherhood should be for those who want and are ready to have kids. No one should have to raise an unwanted child. It doesn’t matter who you are; poor, rich, 15 years old or 29 years old – no one should have to go through pregnancy and childbirth and raising a child if they do not want to.

Did I grieve for my fetus on the day of the abortion? Of course. Of course I was sad, no one swallowing that pill isn’t being serious. But I am not a mother and no one, no one at all, has the right to tell me how I should live my life. And I do not regret my choice. Honestly I felt relieved.

So that’s all there is to it. I require no justification other than “I don’t want to” for not carrying the pregnancy and having a child. That’s all the reason any woman needs, do not let anyone try to tell you otherwise.