Because I was able to access abortion care and advocate for my body at 23, now I’m blessed with a beautiful 5-year-old daughter. I am telling my story to help readers understand the importance of bodily autonomy. The freedom to make decisions about my reproductive health is a personal right and an essential aspect of my healthcare. Every Missourian deserves the freedom to make decisions about their bodies, families, and futures.
When I was 23 about a year into a new relationship, I began noticing changes in my body that felt more intense than usual, and I started to wonder, “When was my last period?”
I took a few pregnancy tests and anxiously waited for the results. I hoped the small white and pink sticks would show a negative result, reassuring me that I wasn’t pregnant, but after five long minutes, two small blue lines appeared confirming that I was indeed pregnant. I felt a mix of sadness, fear, and uncertainty as I processed the reality of the situation. When I looked at my partner, he seemed at a loss for words but eventually managed to say, “I’m here for you.”
The next morning, I woke up early, determined to explore my options. I knew I wasn’t ready to be a mom, and I was still struggling to understand how I felt about the pregnancy. I called Planned Parenthood and was able to schedule an appointment for a week later. We sat in the waiting area for hours before finally having an in-depth appointment where all our questions were answered. I learned that I was 10 weeks along, and after discussing my options, I knew I wanted to terminate the pregnancy.
My partner and I returned for our second appointment, where I was informed about how the medication abortion would be performed, including details about the two pills I would take at the office then at home and how each one would affect my body. They administered the first pill, mifepristone, and explained that I would need to take the second pill (misoprostol) several hours later to ensure the procedure was effective. We went home, and the rest is history. And I have no regrets about the decision I made. We can disagree about abortion, but no one should be able to force what they believe onto your family and what you know is best for them. That’s why I’m voting YES on Amendment 3.”
– Demi, St. Louis
Note to voters: Three judges on the Missouri Supreme Court opposed keeping the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative on the ballot: Broniec, Gooch and Zel Fisher. Both Judges Kelly Broniec and Ginger Gooch are on the Nov. 5th ballot. They can be retained or removed from The Missouri Supreme Court, based on the will of Missouri voters.
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