Bonus Episode: Patricia’s Abortion Story

Planned Parenthood is our partner to kick off important conversations about abortion stigma. In today’s bonus episode, we hear from Patricia from Maryland as they proudly share their abortion story. Visit plannedparenthood.org/EndStigma to hear more stories and learn how you can help end abortion stigma. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey, listeners were so excited about today's bonus episode presented
by this month's sponsor, Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is our
partner to kick off important conversations about abortion stigma because
the culture of shame and silence that target sexual and
reproductive health, especially abortion, has done a real number on women,
making it seem like abortion is controversial and a dirty word.

(00:25):
But we know that abortion is extremely common and it's
a health care decision in consultation with health care providers
that people should be able to make for themselves to
control their own future. When the Supreme Court took away
our federal right to abortion last year, it gave states
free reign to ban abortion. For people across the country.
That opened the door to even more misinformation and harmful

(00:47):
stigma about abortion, affecting patients as well as their doctors
and medical professionals. Planned Parenthood believes that the best way
to fight abortion stigma is to start honest conversations about
what it means to have the freedom to control your
own body and your life. So how can you begin
abortion conversations with people you know? Step one, start with

(01:12):
your why. Most of us want to talk about abortion
because we care about freedom and gender equity. Think about
why abortion matters to you, your family, and your community,
and bring that why into your conversation. Step two get
the facts straight so you can squash misconceptions about abortion.
If you need help, you can find some great resources

(01:33):
at Planned parenthood dot com slash end stigma. One of
my favorite facts is that medication abortion pills are safer
than medicines like penicillin, tilnol and even viagra. And according
to a Landmark study, despite what some may think, ninety
five percent of people who've had an abortion said they
made the right decision five years later. Step three consider

(01:55):
your audience. Be strategic about when and how you talk
about abortion with different people in your life, like friends, peers,
and family members, to make the most out of your conversation.
A discussion about abortion with a parent may look very
different from talking to your best friend, and that's totally okay.
Step four. Get familiar with a few conversation starters. These

(02:18):
could be news articles or your own personal stories. Lead
with what feels most natural as you think through the
points you want to make. Use eye statements so your
feelings come across clearly, and lean into your own experience
as much as you feel comfortable, and finally, always bring
the conversation back around to real people, not stats, because

(02:39):
numbers don't make decisions about their bodies and futures. We
do highlight their humanity and dignity. Because that's why your
story and all abortion stories are so vital. Your vulnerability
will build trust and help fight stigma, one conversation at
a time. Visit planned parenthood dot com slash and stigma

(03:00):
for more tips on how to talk about abortion. And
now we're going to hear from Patricia from Maryland, a
Planned Parenthood storyteller who proudly shares their abortion story.

Speaker 2 (03:12):
Getting an abortion made me stronger growing up. I didn't
really know much about abortions, Like I said, we didn't
even talk about sex. We didn't. The talk was don't
do it. That was it. So I talked to my
aunt and she's the one who actually preferred me to
Plant Parenthood. All the Planned Parenthood stuff was nice, from

(03:33):
the receptionists when I got in, the nurses in the back,
the doctor that helped. So it felt like when you
walk into your grandma's house and you see all your
cousins and you feel like you're home. And I knew
immediately that I would be okay planned parenthood. Make sure
you know that this is your choice, this is your body,
You have options, and that was an option that I

(03:56):
needed to do for myself in my future. It's important
to normalize abortion and talk about it as healthcare. And
when we don't talk about it, when we don't have access,
we're putting the future in danger. And I know that
my story is not the only one, and I think
that if a lot more people would be open and listen,

(04:19):
then things will be a lot better. I tell my
abortion story because somebody out there can't tell theirs.