Beyond Limits

“Sella does a stellar job of straightforwardly and compassionately explaining why third-trimester abortions happen . . . This bursts with insight.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Moving, personal, insightful . . . Long considered a hero of the abortion field, Dr. Sella gives us an eye-opening account. This book helps us to see people who seek abortions with clarity and compassion, as people in the real world.”
—Diana Greene Foster, author of The Turnaway Study

“Through heartbreaking stories culled from Dr. Shelley Sella’s remarkable career as an abortion provider to all who need care, Beyond Limits reminds us that when we leave third-trimester abortions on the floor of political compromise, we abandon some of the most vulnerable among us. This beautiful, devastating book may do what seems impossible in our viciously divided country: it just may change a few minds.”
—Professor Khiara M. Bridges, UC Berkeley School of Law

“Beyond Limits is an important addition to the literature on abortion and reproductive justice. Interweaving the real stories of the people whose abortions she performed with her own personal history, Shelley Sella has written a narrative that is emotionally powerful, intimate, and engaging.”
—Laura Kaplan, author of The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service

“In Beyond Limits, Dr. Shelley Sella gives an intimate and unflinching look into her life as a third-trimester abortion provider for two decades. . . . Beyond Limits provides a precise and prophetic argument for why we must all shift our understanding about later abortion—and show up for those who need the care with the patience and love Dr. Sella leads with.”
—Renee Bracey Sherman, founder of We Testify and coauthor of Liberating Abortion: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve

“At a time when abortion, and especially third-trimester abortion, is being weaponized against pregnant people and providers, Dr Sella’s book provides much-needed information to help us understand the nuances and deeply personal nature of these decisions. Recognizing these complexities informs our ability to advocate for justice and dignity for people who are pregnant.”
—Reverend Amy Johnson, minister for Sexuality Education and Justice, United Church of Christ