Emily Letts, 25, is an abortion counsellor - and, when she unexpectedly became pregnant, she knew she would have to have an abortion.
Emily decided to film her abortion and, speaking with Cosmopolitan.com, she has explained why she decided to share her experiences so publicly.
"I searched the Internet, and I couldn’t find a video of an actual surgical procedure in the clinic that focused on the woman’s experience"
She reveals: "I found out I was pregnant in November. I had been working at the clinic for about a year. It was my first pregnancy.
"I knew immediately I was going to have an abortion. I knew I wasn’t ready to take care of a child. The guy wasn’t involved in my decision."
So what was it that inspired her to go public with her abortion video?
She explains: "I searched the Internet, and I couldn’t find a video of an actual surgical procedure in the clinic that focused on the woman’s experience."
"We talk about abortion so much and yet no one really knows what it actually looks like. A first trimester abortion takes three to five minutes. It is safer than giving birth. There is no cutting, and risk of infertility is less than 1 percent.
"I wanted to show it wasn’t scary — and that there is such a thing as a positive abortion story. It’s my story."
The video, which won the Abortion Care Network’s Stigma Busting video competition, is not graphic.
It focuses on Emily's face, not her lower half, and shows her breathing and humming through the procedure. The doctor remains out of view.
EMILY'S ABORTION VIDEO from Emily Letts on Vimeo.
However many have been left disturbed by the video, which they feel is "inappropriate" and upsetting for women who are unable to conceive children themselves. And many feel that the cheer at the end of the clip is not in keeping with the tone or subject matter.
Despite the wave of criticism, however, Emily does not regret her decision at all.
"Every time I watch the video, I love it. I love how positive it is. I think that there are just no positive abortion stories on video for everyone to see. But mine is.
"I am grateful that I can share my story and inspire other women to stop the guilt."
**What do you think of Emily's abortion video? Do you think it is a good idea to show women what an abortion procedure looks like - or does it make for upsetting viewing? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments Box below now. **