Talking about abortion is still a societal taboo, yet the latest statistics show that more than 180,000 abortions take place in England and Wales each year.
Education around abortion and open discussion is the only way to help women make the decision that is right for them.
To tackle the stigma surrounding the topic, four brave women spoke to AJ+ about their experience of having an abortion.
"I basically missed a pill. I was on birth control, I got a pregnancy test and I was pregnant.
"I was college-bound and not interested in having children, so I knew it was the right decision. I didn't want to be a single mum at 17."
"I had an abortion at 18. I went and got a pregnancy test at the health centre, I was in college.
"They didn't do a good job of telling me what my options were.
"It was a quick turn around for me, I didn't think twice about it. I knew exactly what I wanted."
"After I found out I was pregnant and made the decision to have an abortion, I immediately told a close friend of mine who lived in the city, then I told my sisters. The last person I told in my family was my grandmother.
"Everyone that I told I told specifically because I felt that I would be supported by them - and I was."
"I had an abortion when I was 24. I didn't regret the actual abortion, I knew I'd made the right decision for myself at that moment in my life.
"The regret that I felt was that I wasn't at the right point in my life to have a child and that's what hurt the most.
"I want to be a mother and I know I'm going to be a great mother, but I'm just not there right now.
"I want to make sure when I have my first child that I'm completely prepared and that I'm ready to go and there's no concern over financial security or me having a partner."
SEE ALSO:
Lindy West Harassed By Vicious Trolls After Founding #ShoutYourAbortion Campaign
Women's Reproductive Rights Are at Risk - Let's Stand Up for Choice
