Unless we can freely decide whether to continue a pregnancy, it is impossible for us to control our lives, to enjoy our sexuality, and to participate fully in society.

While there are more contraceptive options now than ever before, no birth control method is 100 percent effective, and access to reproductive health information and services is unevenly distributed, geographically and economically, both in the United States and worldwide. In addition, gender inequality, coercion and violence make it impossible to always be able to choose or control when we have sex.

My name is Miriam. I am one of those women who delayed motherhood until the age of 40. I was fit and healthy, ate well and practiced yoga. I had no idea that trying to become pregnant would be so difficult.