It was a numbing and heartless experience

I had an abortion while I was in college. There was absolutely no informed consent. I was a student and the doctor didn't even discuss any other options with me at all. He simply made arrangements for me to have an abortion and sent me on my way.

When I got to the abortion clinic no one (again) discussed anything about the procedure. They just had me sign some papers, check my hemoglobin and vital signs, did a quick pelvic exam and then performed the abortion.

The "counseling" afterward consisted of discussion of what type of birth control I wanted to use. It was a numbing and heartless experience. Four years later, I miscarried my second child and four years after that my third child was delivered by emergency c-section and is severely disabled with cerebral palsy. We have a son who is healthy, praise the Lord and I'm due in two weeks with my fifth child who will also be delivered by c-section. No one's ever been able to tell us what caused our third child's problems, but I often wonder if it had something to do with my abortion. I guess I'll never know, until I go home with the Lord and He reveals all truth.

In the process of all this, I dedicated my life to Christ, received forgiveness for my many sins (the worst of them being my abortion), and have been active in the pro-life movement. I picketed and did some sidewalk counseling with a group called "Operation Goliath". I also worked as an OB/GYN nurse at a local hospital on the weekends and saw women admitted after complications at the local clinic. I volunteered as a counselor one day a week at a crisis pregnancy center. I figured with my background, perhaps I could reach these girls/women with the truth. I fully support your research and if there's any way I can help please let me know.