--- title: Describing My Abortion Experience date: 2022-11-11T20:25:14-05:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-describing-my-abortion-experience" section: "Stories & Conversations" --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Describing My Abortion Experience Content warning: description of post-abortion fetus and placenta tissue. MC recalls how painful her second abortion was. She regrets not having her partners present for her two abortions and discusses what she saw after the abortions. Note: Audio only. ## Transcript Content warning: description of post-abortion fetus and placenta tissue. **OBOS Today:** When you went through even your first abortion having never had that experience before was, was getting that abortion, did that go so maybe you expected, or was it kind of different than how you had pictured it in your mind or how you understood what you were getting yourself into? **MC:** Yeah, I think it mostly went as expected, the second one was the one that definitely was a lot more harrowing physically, physical pain level than expected. But I’d say this is a bit graphic so, warning, trigger warning, but the one thing that was strange, for me, is, I will, I wanted to take the little thingy home but, um, I guess that's been illegal in the state after the AIDS epidemic, that's what they told me, I didn't Google it to confirm that or anything. And so, I was kind of bummed out about that, so I was like, can I, at least, like look at what you remove in the little cup, and I thought that I would be able to kind of see something. But it just looked like goo and so that was a little bit graphic, and I don't know, I’m laughing, that's like laughing and a funeral or something but. I’m, not that I saw, I don't mean, I don't think that there was a death there, I just was using that analogy of a lot of times but, um, I, yeah, that was that was strange, for me, I thought that there would be some kind of visible something or other. And I asked to see it, the second time as well I’m, like, interested in the medical field, so it was also kind of kind of curiosity, but I was definitely disappointed that I couldn't take it home. And it was also very disappointing to me that neither time my partner could be there because it was just kind of hard to be all alone in the doctors’ offices and that was obviously that was just a COVID thing. But, yeah, it would have been nice to have somebody with me. ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [ abortion](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/abortion) - [ diverse abortion experiences](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/abortion-experiences) - [stories & conversations](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/stories-conversations) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();) ##### More to Explore [Stories & ConversationsRead ## 39 Stories Show Just How Important Abortion Access Is In 2020, 39 senators asked the US Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade. In response, Teen Vogue published 60 personal stories that highlight the vital importance of access to abortion services. ![Pexels rodnae productions woman in hospital bed scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAADOklEQVRIiW1WXZrjIAyThDNHnue9xZ520T74B9IZvjRNU7BsyTbw+89fkFqMteJZzxPPVzxf8TwRz4pYK9ZakkQSBAAYzrG99/a2d/4EbBtwTgIAgbmwF+d9Bl/PH3+edwTAMXBPC4oEKZKixBoAkV8/Ed1xFAKZLpsgmJ7TCe2QFgnl4Gu0Z8CQk3BlCuYNk6hGouQwY8UiIHEtKcnOaBol196Bj4HXH3kXaB9kIiICBcC1tBrjRric5LGVEDRoYKcaxpkOG0CsCBIkl7hCWsw4KIq4JWmGaKP5swkK2IIMm95wBgGQsON5AiAFiavj0IkiJSjVSxAe5iFjmzJs7A2I2M2jQUY8T7omUcJalJhCXCnVOrfwMDu9jLZOCd604M1KM0dEZKqJkCBhiVq4EDAgw9TRuZg3Bdg06E0TBmngioD0YEioyj1J0nlLOsvzEjNJT9N5VSq7IwCswaApkCiRb2P1i0aJQidf6XtebgyQiBWrGS501b1p/8jMqt1TAqRp928TEgwyXzZA8kgTFk3sJG14aQnaDjUNiCZZ5MiaCHJVrLWqqGFiA2mdxFifQp104hUHQNO6IugZBI2QhKqKymK6kh3wXbSdlSBuIxnfbuSPC6HCNnz67afVbPPd+bofTIcDIDb6sW6CDnIaE6tPnU6Vu8agnJT13UBw5PjYDmjG4dnHanld9utzj8rUa3ESykyXRjKdAnxctaC2Eedn3r4eGpsjl8nLBBvAPg995Qf1n90hzXqjEqLfVO8ePANRzFymc/NOsz272btcH6ZrDtnz5k7aYe8G2H3l0WDfUwtlrvdOncJtQADMjYrFYMC7mMYA7DqBHB9HbeDaiQfKt2o1pXIj9v53UXSsl7Kc9RnBbzIDG1Y+uBuhQdNFkZsiuAB8G6OvvKBhm4az4Np590mrQ66AwxnByZS0vi8PM3+cjcNv34eafRyvB2eheY/IP/NnAKotZdoSrgBgkx9YwzcNG9Eut5nC6Hqc6W39CsC1WUwddpnYfWox3hFMxZ2z0xx4S4C0d/F/hHlF0d9TB4U4h+P276rddwE0xOz+rc+daEZc+h/37xQCPfmDOntWhL9A+twT9T8NfW090rYr/gAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) In 2020, 39 senators asked the US Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade. In response, Teen Vogue published 60 personal stories that highlight the vital importance of access to abortion services.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/39-stories-show-just-how-important-abortion-access-is) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Feelings Around Having an Abortion MC describes her thought process behind getting an abortion. She shares some of the feelings she had about the experience. ![A woman has her hands on her head as though disappointed. In front of her is a positive pregnancy test on a table.](data:image/png;base64,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) MC describes her thought process behind getting an abortion. She shares some of the feelings she had about the experience.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-feelings-around-having-an-abortion) [ResourcesRead ## We Need To Change How We Talk about Abortion Conversations about abortion that give all of us a better understanding of what abortion really looks like today. ![Pexels christina morillo 1181719 scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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) Conversations about abortion that give all of us a better understanding of what abortion really looks like today.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/we-need-to-change-how-we-talk-about-abortion) [ResourcesRead ## Abortion and Contraception Quick Links If you are in need of access to, or have question about, abortion and contraception, this list of resources is a good place to start. ![Two women at a protest. One holds a sign saying, "My Body My Choice" and the other holds a sign saying, "Women Rights and Human Rights."](data:image/png;base64,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) If you are in need of access to, or have question about, abortion and contraception, this list of resources is a good place to start.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/contraception-and-abortion-cheat-sheet) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure. ![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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) TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1) [Stories & ConversationsRead ## Living with Congestive Heart Failure TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. ![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAACRUlEQVRIiY1WSZIkIQyTCM7Tp/7/T9EcAFsGpmoyMrJpFknecPH3zw8AXm+7ZiD4o/2d77CxoBh3vB7+z6yem2LrWn4Q0AYpv+ILIKEvNMD0BO1sYH14C9meuowmQJoFBDA1fQM9odYZPW1hd8mT84PwB3T4+x8uKzG4s6i5BbTTgva8NgcJiQdHf6InB9HWKkMsAe24SXNSiaLgvSxwmkaeFphYHGY5KDMsSWBhJIHG4iVfivo6hFNQsCdHcRFvRzWAIF85CICaSaHlGBMef/ud02SMyaNMivyi1GJbONo7eyv6/jcEWOpuci0XzCsoa6a98IEiOqwqAU94ZmDMSs6ZhmuNAUdE6eXorDrKx7Y0OZqu4vt2fQGADtWELMEMkx2P2SMXFwTqHnBdP/dBH58WuJDyVUG5t90vouE8FzTvR57qhq0+casz1G8JA5pxHkCDRhSwlutrm5Q1S1UCAXgQaB0jgSFwpQZhqscD/USYJiTBOO+JxcEMcNE+zF1DGEV+dp+uPMnYzQWpti8czyInGEjoYehJMIUPABDjylMizrsMwqyjyqGx5C/0IR3Z1T1JhmWNRPGoXGXmEAOQiq/cSyuxha5dUMcjaHarfZuy5ILSJ+mlkrgrzGnBKOjZv/ZdoyMM1e/+y07hooyBgLY5wqZh/iH2UZ4cte52hHch9OimY98uqb200ogDVz5ciW/ez6dHgkCJqxc6U1ZWNbb84KsE6ip8GYCAjpSlbTCi93eTWtN3nnAUojNdndmPHAP/FfkX2vzAGfoFHPQAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Dealing with Difficult Menstrual Cycles CB shares her story of experiencing difficult menstrual cycles as a teenager. ![Menstruation](data:image/png;base64,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) CB shares her story of experiencing difficult menstrual cycles as a teenager.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-menstruation-cb) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## It Was Like Somebody Turned on a Faucet CB discusses the process of finding a treatment for her painful periods and heavy bleeding, until discovering that they were caused by fibroids and cysts. ![Period Blood](data:image/png;base64,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) CB discusses the process of finding a treatment for her painful periods and heavy bleeding, until discovering that they were caused by fibroids and cysts.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/living-with-irregular-menstrual-cycles)