Recently a woman in Florida gave birth in her bathroom and hid her baby under the sink.  This was her second pregnancy; during her first, she was forced to have an abortion. Unfortunately it is a myth that women aren’t forced or coerced into having an abortion, and it happens all too often. 
    The truth is, no matter what your age, even if you are a minor, no one can legally make you have an abortion.  People may, however, coerce you to have one, but what does coerce mean?  Coercion means when someone makes you do something you don’t want to do by force or compulsion. 

So, for example, a parent might tell you that they will kick you out of the house if you don’t have an abortion, or someone (not necessarily a parent) might say they will turn your boyfriend in as a sex offender if you do not have an abortion.  This is coercion and unfortunately many, many women are coerced into having an abortion against their will. 
If you are pregnant and go into an abortion clinic, before the abortionist can perform the procedure, by law you must sign a paper saying that you are not being forced or coerced to have the abortion.  Many women sign the paper to be compliant even though they do not want to have an abortion.  If you find yourself in a similar situation right now, know that it is illegal for anyone to put pressure on you to have an abortion, no matter how small or insignificant the pressure it might be. 
There is help, though, and you are not alone.  There are pregnancy resource centers located across America and the world.  These centers offer free and confidential help to women and men in pregnancy crisis.  If you are scared you will be kicked out of your house, your local pregnancy resource center can help you find housing in your area so that you and your baby will be safe.  Additionally, if you are being coerced or pressured to have an abortion, pregnancy resource centers will give you the help and support you need to actually make this decision your choice.  To find the pregnancy resource center that is closest to you, just go to www.optionline.org or call 1-800-712-HELP.
If you have already been pressured, forced, or coerced into having an abortion, and you are struggling emotionally with the loss of your child, there is help as well.  You don’t have to go on living each day with regret, shame, guilt, remorse, sadness, and depression.  The website above (www.optionline.org) can help you find a pregnancy resource center that offers free post abortion support.  You will be able to speak with someone confidentially about what you are going through and what you are feeling.  You’re life is too short to continue feeling the way that you do.
Abortion is not your only option; don’t let someone else make this decision for you.  This is your body, your choice, and your child.  It is too easy to let other people decide for you regarding your pregnancy, but you and only you are the one who will have to live with the decision that you make. 

Here is a link to the original article: http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/crime/2014/08/04/police-brevard-teen-gives-birth-hides-baby-under-sink/13602421/