by K. Barnett

Created on: April 17, 2007   Last Updated: May 18, 2007

When I was sixteen I got pregnant. All the options were there for me. My parents were wonderful. They were in support of what my individual choice would be.

Abortion was brought to the table many times. I even realistically entertained the notion in my head, for all of five minutes. I knew I couldn't have an abortion. I've always been against it as a personal choice. How could I be a hypocrite now? Adoption or keeping it had to be my only choices.

At the end of my first trimester however the decision was made for me, and I miscarried. I was angry that I was relieved that the choice was made for me. I felt horrible that I was glad to be free of the situation. At the same time I was angry at myself, because it was supposed to be my job to protect the life growing inside of me. Wasn't it? I quickly went over everything I had done for the past three months. My decision you see had been to keep the baby.

My doctor told me there was no clear reason for the loss. I'd had surgery only a few months before conceiving. The best explanation was that my body just couldn't handle a pregnancy at that time.

I can neither condemn nor justify the acts of those who have had, or will have an abortion. Having been through the situation I was in, I simply can't imagine doing to myself on purpose what fate decided for me.

Whether from a moral or religion standing, many feel abortion is wrong. Economically it isn't sound to due away with abortion. We live in a world now that is over populated, and overflowing with homeless and hungry people. Murder and war just don't seem to be answer enough to this dilemma. That may be a cold way to look at it, but it's an honest one.

Before Roe VS Wade many women died from major infections caused from back ally abortions. True, there are those who I'm sure feel they got their just rewards for having taken a life themselves. It's also true that many who have an opinion on abortion have never been faced with the possibility of needing one. Some of those same people have enough money not to need to worry.

While I don't believe abortion should by any means be used as a form of birth control, I don't believe I or society has the right to make someone else's choices for them.

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