 In 1962, Chessen became a subject of controversy when she sought an abortion after discovering that the thalidomide she had been taking caused serious fetal deformities when used in early stages of pregnancy.In 1961, Chessen's husband Bob Finkbine chaperoned a group of high school students on a European tour, where he purchased over-the-counter sedatives and brought the remainder home.Chessen took 36 of the pills in the early stages of her fifth pregnancy, unaware that they contained thalidomide, which could cause deformity in the fetus.