It is a few days away from being a year since I made the choice to have an abortion, I remember how confusing and scary that time in my life was and I hope my story will bring comfort or clarity to whoever reads this.

On Wednesday, July the 23rd, my SO (22) went with me (21) to Women's Med in Indianapolis for a small blood test, Ultrasound and to 'explore' our options.

I saved the ultrasound picture in a dated envelope, stuck it in a drawer and just as I closed the drawer - I closed out that moment in my life. They asked if I planned to continue with the pregnancy, at the tender, scared and reckless age of 18, in a low whisper, I said, “No.”

I am 39 years old, a wife of 19 years, and a mother of 3 healthy beautiful children whom I love dearly. I am one of those oh so lucky people who cannot take birth control because it causes me to have blood clots in my legs so my husband and I use several different methods for birth control;

I was with the man I thought I would marry and we talked about having a child. I got pregnant, he shied away. I considered the possibility of being a single mother, but knew I wasn't in a position to do that financially or otherwise. There were protesters outside when I went to have my abortion.

I was 23 years old. I had been with my boyfriend for 6 months. I was just starting my last year of Graduate School. Then, the unthinkable happened, my IUD failed.