The pro-choice/pro-life debate has been woven into the fabric of American politics and culture, but at least, while that battle raged, those who opted for an abortion could do so knowing it would be performed as safely as any other major medical procedure. That’s been true since the mid-1970’s. There are now two generations of women who have never known it any other way. The imagery of a bloody coat hanger remains as a strong reminder of the dark history of abortion in America, but it has not been a reality women needed to fear in decades. Most have forgotten, or never knew, what it was like to have an illegal abortion. I will never forget.
I missed my period. I was twenty years old and just about to finish my freshman year of college. Telling my mother was easy. I almost enjoyed seeing her reaction to my experiences, and I knew she wouldn’t tell my father; she didn’t want any more chaos in the house than there already was.
My mother and I drove the few blocks to see Dr. Edward Ablon, a well-respected Beverly Hills doctor and family friend. I was six weeks pregnant, and the doctor called my father, whose law office was a few blocks away. I was frightened, so frightened — about everything — but mostly of my father. He liked to punish me every day in one way or another, so this time I was prepared for the biggest punishment of my life.