Our Choices, Our Lives: Unapologetic Writings on Abortion, Ed. Krista Jacob
iUniverse, Inc., 2002

Reviewed by Nikki Feuerstein
As policies restricting abortion access advance, the image of a woman in need of reproductive services becomes a faceless propagandized icon. Krista Jacob's Our Choices, Our Lives: Unapologetic Writings on Abortion constructs a diverse image of women's uncensored personal accounts of abortion. This collection removes the issue of abortion from an impersonal political realm created by the media and places it into the hands of the multitudes of women who have first hand experience with abortion and the emotions that accompany it. Many of the selections included in this collection reflect a faith in women's decision-making abilities in regards to reproductive choices.

Jacob pulls together the writings of women from various backgrounds through the common bond of a potentially isolating experience. The book is divided into three sections: Part I: Abortion Testimonies: Before and After Legal Abortion, Part II: Voices from Inside the Abortion Clinic, and Part III: Organizing for Change: Religious and Political Activists Speak Out. The collection includes clergywomen, missionaries, students, reproductive health counselors, sexual educators, mothers, feminists, medical assistants, abortion providers, doctors, artists, writers, activists and friends. Each chapter is a collection of submissions consisting of articles, essays, prose, poetry and interviews. Writers' ages range as much as their economic positions and religious backgrounds.

Included in this collection is an explanation of what to expect at a clinic. A portrait is painted of a modern day clinic as a warm supportive environment. This is addressed through women's personal accounts and directly in "A Clinic Visit" by DeDe VanSlyke and Krista Jacob. This section provides photos and a step-by-step procedure of a vacuum aspiration, which is used in 99 percent of abortions in the U.S.*. This direct explanation debunks myths created by the opposition in order to vilify the procedure.

While many submissions in this collection do not directly approach the deficiencies within our culture in regards to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, sexual education, contraceptive availability, sexual confidence, and social support for children on both an emotionally nurturing and economic level, all of the contributions inadvertently address a number of these feminist issues. All of these factors may cause a woman to seek an abortion. More than just accounts of abortions, this book sheds light on individual women's perspectives on sexuality in general.

Jacob's preface contains her call for submissions which briefly outlines her goals for this book. An examination of race is mentioned in this section, yet no articles actually address this issue. Men and politicians were also requested in her call for submissions, however were not included as writers.

The greatest obstacles to reproductive freedoms at this time are the legal restrictions imposed upon certain women seeking abortion such as lack of funding, parental consent laws and mandatory waiting periods. These issues were discussed in Part III of the book, yet were not mentioned in the personal accounts of women who had abortions after the Roe vs. Wade decision. These experiences could have been included in order to give the reader an understanding of the realities of these unjust laws.

As a feminist activist, raised pro-choice, this book has not revolutionized my opinions but rather aided in refining and cementing my pre-existing stance and broadened my understanding of how abortion affects individuals. Having never been in need of an abortion myself (trust me, I've just been lucky), I cannot say in certainty how this book may affect a person who has. I imagine, however, that it can aid in breaking the silence that shrouds women's voices. Women can read the writings of others with similar experiences and feel a sense of commonality. My hope is that by reading this collection, women will feel more encouraged to write their own stories or begin talking to others, sharing their feelings about their experiences.

*Byer, C., Shainberg, L., Galliano, G., & Shriver, S. (2002). Dimensions of Human Sexuality (6th ed.) (p. 402). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education

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