Glenda's Story

Hi. My name is Glenda. I would like to share my story.

I had been going out with my boyfriend for a year and a half. I never thought about getting pregnant. I was 16 at the time and school was about to start. I didn't get my period for like 2 months so my mom got worried and made me a doctor's appointment. I had been sick but didn't think about being pregnant.

Well, before I went to the doctor, I got scared and took a cheap pregnancy test. It came up positive. I was hoping it was wrong so the next day I went ahead and went to the doctor. There, they gave me a pregnancy test and it seemed forever to get the results back in. When they finally told me, they were quiet at first and then told me there was no doubt about it. I was pregnant. So many things ran through my mind and when I told my mom, she didn't freak out on me like I expected. After we left the doctor, she told me that I was gonna have an abortion.

Well, it took us a week to find a place. Arkansas doesn't do abortions unless they are medical problems. They told us that every time we called a clinic. We found one in Missouri about 2 hours from us. They made the appointment. My boyfriend and I were tore up. I didn't want to do it but I wanted to make everyone happy. I didn't know what else to do so I went with what she wanted.

The drive was long and terrible. I didn't want to go. We stayed the night in a hotel. I sat in the bathroom crying that night. The next day, I had to eat something before I went. I had morning sickness so it didn't really help. I arrived at the clinic and there were so many girls. Most of them were my age. There was one lady in there about 30 years old. I instantly bonded with her.

They called me in, gave me counseling, drugged me up, gave me an ultrasound, and then I sat in the waiting room. I was 3 months pregnant. They almost didn't give me an abortion. They called me in, made me get undressed and then they prepped me. I was so scared. I had 2 caring nurses by my side the whole way through. I remember hearing the sound of the vacuum. It was the most awfulest sound I ever heard. I started to cry but the nurses started to talk to me and calm me down. It seemed to take forever but it only took 2 minutes or less. They made me get dressed and I stumbled into the recovery room. I got sick. I threw up on myself and I started to cry. I was bleeding bad but they said I was ok. I wanted to hurry up and get out of there. They gave me birth control and some papers and I was on my way. My stomach felt so empty. There was nothing there anymore.

I didn't start getting real emotional about it till the next day when my boyfriend broke up with me and told everyone what I did. We worked that out and got back together. I thought he would understand. Now he does.

I learned a lot from my experience. It was just a year ago. I had bad problems afterwards. I have scar tissue built up and I gained a tubal infection. I go to the doctor every month now and it's becoming a pain.

I advise anyone who is pregnant and is scared...think about what you want. Don't let anyone decide for you. You do what you think is right and what you want. What I just told was only half my story. A lot more comes of it than that. I regret what I did, but I move on day by day and hold my head up. It's hard. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't. I was 16 when I got pregnant, I am now 17. I have a job and school to finish. Think of the things in life... before you do anything.

Glenda
8 February 2001