The Things No One Told Me: A Young Person’s Abortion Story

Send us Fan Mail In The Things No One Told Me: A Young Person’s Abortion Story, a young woman reflects on becoming pregnant as a teenager and the information she did not have when she needed it most. She speaks candidly about contraception, consent, fear, misinformation, delayed access to abortion care, and the isolation she felt while trying to understand her options. She also shares the relief she felt after her abortion, the support she received from an abortion doula, and the lasting impact of family rejection and shame. At the heart of her story is a simple question: what happens when young people are expected to make deeply personal decisions without being given clear, accurate information? This is a story about abortion, but it is also about education, trust, support, and the consequences of leaving people to navigate reproductive healthcare alone. LOOKING FOR INFORMATION OR SUPPORT? If this story raises questions for you about pregnancy, abortion, contraception, consent or where to find care, the following Canadian resources provide reliable information and confidential support. Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights — Access Line  Confidential information and referrals for abortion, pregnancy options, contraception and sexual health anywhere in Canada. It also offers pregnancy options and after abortion support. Operates seven days a week, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET: 1-888-642-2725, text 613-800-6757, or email [email protected].   Action Canada Access Line Abortion doula and practical support - Action Canada's maintains a list of abortion doulas and support organizations in several regions of Canada. Abortion Doula Support Choice Connect - provides anonymous, confidential referrals to Canadian providers offering medication and procedural abortion. It is included among the Government of Canada's national abortion resources and in ARCC's current referral materials. Choice Connect Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) - General information, especially for provincial/territorial abortion referral sheets, abortion-service information and resources identifying unregulated pregnancy centres.  ARCC CDAC ARCC resources Government of Canada — Abortion in Canada - The federal page explains medication and procedural abortion, consent, coverage, supports and provincial/territorial resources. It explicitly notes that parental consent is not automatically required simply because someone is seeking an abortion, although rules for minors' medical consent vary by jurisdiction. Abortion in Canada — Government of Canada Sex & U — Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada – For factual information about abortion, contraception, consent and sexual-health education. The It's My Choice decision aid is specifically identified in current Canadian abortion referral resources for people considering abortion.  It’s My Choice Sex & U Kids Help Phone - Kids Help Phone provides Canadian youth with information on pregnancy, birth control and consent, as well as confidential professional counselling and crisis support.  Kids Help Phone Kids Help Phone Thanks for listening to Choice Chat, a Humanist Canada podcast about choice, dignity, and reproductive justice. We’re glad you’re here. Do you have a story to share? Do you want to suggest a topic? Email us at [email protected] or connect with us on social media. We look forward to hearing from you.  https://www.instagram.com/choicechatpod/?next=%2F https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580799207960