One Womans Story Of Self-Managing Her Abortion In An Anti-Choice State

Managing your own abortion is not a crime in Ohio, but a politically motivated prosecutor might believe Julia should be punished for what she did.

By Alanna Vagianos

SOMEWHERE IN OHIO Its a pretty short drive to the polling site from the cabin where Julia has been self-managing her abortion. Julia took the last of her abortion pills the day before, which she believes have ended her unwanted pregnancy. She still has some minor cramping and is tired from the whole ordeal, but she feels reasonably OK well enough to go vote on a ballot referendum that could help decide the fate of abortion rights in Ohio.

Issue 1 , a ballot initiative to raise the threshold to alter the state constitution from a simple majority the standard in Ohio for over a century to 60%, is a preemptive attempt to block a pro-choice constitutional amendment that Ohioans will vote on in November.

It comes down to control, says Julia, who is being identified by a pseudonym. They want to control us. They hate women and they want to use this to mobilize voters.

She takes some satisfaction in knowing she induced an abortion all by herself a small act of resistance as Ohio Republicans actively undermine democracy in order to roll back abortion rights.

I think it scares them that women could self-manage an abortion all on their own, she says. Once they realize that we dont need them, they panic.