My partner is pressuring me to take drugs or get drunk before we have sex. What should I do? What should I say?
Alcohol can make someone feel less uncomfortable and less inhibited—which can be really bad in a sexual situation. Ask…
Read FAQ »Like all the pregnancy options, abortion is a very personal choice. Here’s our list of things to take into consideration:
- It’s a person’s legal right to choose whether or not to give birth, though in some states you need a parent’s or judge’s permission to have an abortion if you are under 18.
- Think about your moral, cultural and religious beliefs. What do you believe about abortion? How did you come to believe this? What have you been taught in your family or faith community about abortion? How do these messages fit with your own personal beliefs?
- No one should ever pressure you into having an abortion if you don’t feel it’s right for you, nor should you be shamed or pressured into choosing not to have an abortion if that’s what you decide to do.
- Abortion is a safe and legal medical procedure.
- There are organizations such as the National Network for Abortion Funds that can help you pay for an abortion if you can’t afford one.
There are also websites devoted to helping you think through the abortion decision, such as PregnancyOptions.info, as well as websites like Exhale where you can text or call before and after the procedure to talk about it. You can text Exhale at 1-617-749-2948 Monday through Thursday 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Pacific time and Sunday 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Pacific time. Or you can call Exhale’s partner Connect & Breathe at 1-866-647-1764 Tuesday through Thursday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. You can also check out All-Options or call them at 1-888-493-0092. They are open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Whatever you choose, be sure you do it because it’s the best choice for you. The sooner you get information about your options and start to consider them, the more options may be available to you because abortions become more complicated and more difficult to access later in pregnancy. Find a trusted adult as soon as possible. This person can help you understand your options and help assure that you stay safe and healthy and make a decision—regardless of what that decisions is—that feels right for you.