The words “pro-life” can often be misleading, leaving the opposing side associated with being “pro-death.” However, this is not the case, with the other side being known as “pro-choice.” Under pro-choice lies the belief that women have the human right to decide when and whether or not to have children based on their own moral and religious beliefs.

Every day, another woman somewhere in the world makes an extremely difficult, internal decision. Many states are now deciding whether to ban or legalize abortion. However, abortion rights should be available to women considering the procedure, who should also always be able to have a choice in the situation.

Pro-life supporters claim that abortion is murder, but what many don’t realize is that it could be saving a life instead: the mother’s. Given various situations the woman could possibly be in that may drive her to consider this act, it could potentially be one of her few or only options to continue living a happy, healthy life. It could cause health issues or could be too hefty of a responsibility to handle if she isn’t living a safe life.

Oftentimes, women base their decision on where they are in life and how a baby might affect whatever situation they may be in. People who aren’t already parents at the time of an abortion often go on to have a baby later on when they feel they are in a better position to be a good parent. Alternatively, people who do have children already may decide to go through with the procedure so they can continue to raise those they have without added complications. The bottom line is deciding whether to have an abortion or not is completely a personal decision and it really doesn’t concern anyone else.

A decision as big as this one can be made much easier and less stressful with support  from professionals, as well as friends and family. Planned Parenthood health centers have caring professionals that can answer any questions women may have. Expert care, accurate information about all your options and non-judgmental support along the way can help reassure someone that they’re making the decision best for them and Planned Parenthood officials support the woman in whatever decision she makes and whatever she feels is the best decision for her.

A common argument made against abortion is that, “Well, if a woman is going to have sex, she must be aware of the possible resulting pregnancy; it’s her responsibility to have the child if she can’t properly have safe sex.” However, this is essentially saying that giving birth is objectively the “responsible” thing to do. In actuality, if a woman is able to realize she will be unable to raise a child, she is making a responsible decision to save the unborn baby years of suffering or misery.

Women also choose to have abortions to save the unborn babies years of pain due from health deformities. On nymag.com, a woman named Colleen chose abortion after finding out her baby would have a life expectancy of at extreme most, five years. An ultrasound at 13 weeks confirmed the child had several heart and skull deformities and, soon after, Edwards Syndrome. The unborn child continued to present growing health issues, including intestines growing outside of the body. In order for the child to even survive after being born, it would have to go under multiple surgeries.

“I wouldn’t have been able to work and take care of such a critically ill baby,” Colleen wrote. “It was the best decision for the baby and my family.”

Many people feel that adoption is a simple solution to seek rather than getting an abortion, but that only addresses those women who wish to avoid raising a child. It doesn’t apply to any woman who has concerns regarding to carrying the baby to term or actually giving birth. Money could be an issue, as having a child in a hospital could range from $3,000 to $37,000 in the U.S. Along with that, it can be dangerous; pregnancy complications are the sixth most common cause of death for women between 20 and 34 years of age.

In fact, according to the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, abortion in the U.S. is an extremely safe procedure, and over 95 percent of women agree that their abortion was the right decision. Major complications found in abortions are rare, seeing as issues have only occurred in less than a fourth of operations, which, in comparison, is safer than having wisdom teeth removed. When compared to abortions performed by properly-trained doctors, the risk of dying in childbirth is roughly 13 times higher.

Overall, an abortion is a life-changing decision that only the woman considering it should make. Regardless of the reason for the abortion, how personal or difficult it might be, it is ultimately the woman’s decision and no outside, unrelated people should be attempting to take that away from them.