I Was in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship and Too Ashamed to Tell Anyone About My Abortion

Article originally appeared in PEOPLE on March 4th, 2020.

I was a freshman at the University of Houston when I got pregnant. I was 19 years old, working two jobs — and I was in an unhealthy relationship. There was a lot of emotional abuse. My immediate reaction was, I cannot be pregnant right now. I can’t be a mother. I felt so young and was focused on school and just getting by.