Sally Field sparks viral response after sharing horror abortion story

After sharing her heart-wrenching abortion story, Sally Field has sparked a viral response online, with women coming forward using the hashtag #wewontgoback to highlight the importance of protecting reproductive rights in America.

The 77-year-old actress — who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in September — shared the 'horrific story' in an Instagram post on Sunday, retelling her illegal abortion in Mexico when she was just 17. 

Field also admitted the doctor performing the procedure molested her and she wasn't given pain medication.

Her story resonated with many people, with illegal abortion a reality for many young women today who are living in states that have restricted access to abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. 

Field was met with a wave of support after sharing her story, where she emphasized the importance of voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the upcoming election and supporting ballot initiatives that protect reproductive freedom.

'Wow, this is hard to watch. Hard to know. But it’s reality,' one user commented, adding the hashtag #WeWontGoBack.

'So brave of her to share this with us, but that’s exactly how it was for women in America,' another pointed out.

'So grateful for @sallyfield for sharing her story. So many women can relate in some way,' agreed another, using the same hashtag.

'I didn’t know this about Sally Field, but I’m so glad she shared this. #WeWontGoBack,' another wrote. 

The Mrs Doubtfire actress shared her emotional story in a video posted to Instagram, admitting she 'still' feels very ashamed about it.

'Because I was raised in the 50s and it's ingrained in me,' the actress said in the video posted online.

'I've been so hesitant to do this, to tell my horrific story. It was during a time even worse than now. A time when contraception was not readily available and only if you were married.

'But I feel that so many women of my generation went through similar, traumatic events, and I feel stronger when I think of them. I believe, like me, they must want to fight for their grandchildren and all the young women of this country.'

She explained that at the time she had 'no choices, family support or finances'.

'I graduated high school but no one ever said, 'How about college?' Nothing. I didn't know what I was gonna be.

'And then I found out I was pregnant.'

She said a family doctor and his wife, who were friends of the family, drove her and her mother in their brand-new Cadillac, to Tijuana, Mexico.

In harrowing detail, she went on to say, 'We parked on a really scroungy-looking street. It was scary and he parked about three blocks away and said, 'See that building down there?'

'And he gave me an envelope with cash and I was to walk into that building and give them the cash and then come right back to him.'

Sally described the abortion, which took place before the now-overturned Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling, as 'beyond hideous and life-altering.'

The procedure was performed with 'no anesthetic' with just a 'technician giving me a few puffs of ether but he would then take it away, so it just made my arms and legs feel numb weird, but I felt everything — how much pain I was in.'

Field said she then realized that the technician was actually molesting her, recalling 'so I had to figure out, how can I make my arms move to push him away?'

'So it was just this absolute pit of shame. And then, when it was finished, they said, 'Go go go go go!' like the building was on fire. They didn't want me there — you know, it was illegal.'

Field credited the family physician for his 'generosity' and 'bravery' in helping her, as she explained 'he would've lost his license if anyone had found out.'

In her caption she said that reproductive rights is 'one of the reasons why so many of us are supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.'

'Everyone, please, pay attention to this election, up and down the ballot, in every state – especially those with ballot initiatives that could protect reproductive freedom. Please. We can't go back!'

In conclusion, she wrote: 'So here is my story. I'd be honored if you'd tell me yours, if you can.'