I came to Birthright to talk about my options. I had an abortion 2 years ago and now I was pregnant again. I
hated my abortion experience but my life hadn’t changed.

I let myself get pregnant again with a different man but the same story. He said he would leave me if I had
the baby. With my first pregnancy I had the abortion and he broke up with me anyway. I knew I couldn’t
go through the pain of abortion again.

My counselor didn’t talk about what she thought I should do. We mostly talked about my relationships and
how I let boyfriends talk to me, treat me and control me. I told her I was sometimes afraid of him. She
talked about the cycle of abuse. She was worried about my safety, but we lived together and he paid all the
bills. I didn’t want to go to my mom’s house because my stepdad was an alcoholic.

My counselor and I worked together and found a safe place for me to stay. She helped me get an Order of
Protection. I started going to the Happy Moms Healthy Baby group at Birthright and met some new friends.

I still have a ways to go but I feel more confident. I love my baby boy.