Book Report: Becca Rea-Tucker’s “The Abortion Companion”

by Sofia Herrington (she/her), Mabel Wadsworth Center intern

Mabel Wadsworth Center was lucky enough to have multiple copies of Becca Rea-Tucker’s The Abortion Companion: an Affirming Handbook for Your Choice and Your Journey donated to give to patients and keep in our waiting room. Instead of just focusing on how I felt reading through this amazing book, I thought it made more sense to let this powerful piece of writing speak for itself by sharing some of my favorite quotes in the graphics below.

“Whether your abortion was yesterday, thirty years ago, or hasn’t happened yet, you and your feelings are allowed to be on your own timeline.”

“Anger or appreciation. Relief or grief. But our abortion experiences aren’t one-dimensional, and feelings often change over time. There’s no timeline for having feelings about our abortions.”

“Pro-choice isn’t meaningful if there isn’t actually a choice.”

“It’s OK that you got pregnant, no matter the circumstances. It’s OK that you decided to not be pregnant, no matter the circumstances.”

“We have always had and will always have abortions.”

“No one can make this decision better than you, and you don’t need anyone’s permission. You’re allowed to trust yourself.”

“I wrote it to create a comfortable and affirming space for you to sort through your feelings and heal from the wounds inflicted by stigma. I like to think of it as an antidote to shame.”

Abortions are not only medical procedures, but also often deeply emotional and personal experiences. Time, support, and circumstances have the ability to shape how a person processes their own experiences. This book embraces the different circumstances of abortion, offering a hand of support for anyone– whether they are considering an abortion now, have had one several years ago, or haven’t had one yet. This book creates a safe space to feel all types of emotions and heal themselves, particularly from stigma, without judgment from the world around them.

You can learn more about this book and snag yourself a copy at Becca Rea-Tucker’s website here.