Pre-Roe abortion stories

People were getting abortions well before Roe v. Wade legalized abortion care. Nearly two years post the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the need for abortions remains!

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte supporters shared their stories about their traumatic experiences getting abortions before Roe.

PPMM supporter, Sandra shares her story.

In 1964 I became pregnant at 23. Newly divorced, I was dating, and one of those dates left me pregnant. The young man pleaded poverty and was not required to pay anything.

I had to find an illegal abortion that was safe, and fortunately I found someone. I had to raise the money, arrange to miss work, arrange transportation, and arrange for two overnight stays in a YWCA in a strange town.

I was very fortunate in that the actual abortion, while scary, turned out to be perfectly safe. It was very expensive. I never looked back. No regrets, one day of post-partum depression. 

Among my early memories are my mother volunteering at Planned Parenthood.

PPMM supporter, Helen shares her story.

When I was 17 in NYC, I was helped, through a Quaker network, to obtain an illegal abortion. The experience was scary and stressful, but I’ve never regretted that choice and opportunity. In 1923 my grandmother died of a botched abortion. It’s devastating that we’re potentially returning to those days.

PPMM supporter, Brenna shares her experience receiving abortion care in Mexico.

I was 18 years old, and pregnant the summer before college. I was in LA, and the Women's Center arranged an abortion for me in Mexico.

Abortion was illegal here, and also there. I was alone and felt that I could not share this, especially not with my parents. I was terrified.

All went well. I remember the Mexican doctors as being kind, but it was very much a trauma.

I am 72 now. Some women have the option to get an abortion, but I don't know if women realize there was a time when the only option was to risk your life. I'd like that never to be the case again. If speaking up helps, I will do it.

PPMM supporter, Linda shares her experience while supporting her friend get abortion care.

My story is about my friend Lynn, who accidentally became pregnant in 1965. She was able to get an illegal abortion in San Francisco, and after a few days was sick with an infection. She was put into the hospital immediately for treatment.

I was her close friend and was there for her. During her few days in the hospital, she was visited by two people from the San Francisco District Attorney's office. They told her that (the person who performed her abortion) had been arrested on drug charges, and she would be required to testify against him or be prosecuted herself for getting the abortion. She was outraged, but she did testify against him.

I tell this story so that younger people can hear what actually happened before abortion was legal, even in California.