ADJUSTING AFTER  ABORTION

If you have had an abortion, no matter how long ago, it may still be troubling you. You are welcome to call (380-6883) to make an appointment with one of our caring volunteer counsellors who are specially trained to assist women in their post-abortion healing journey.

Many women indicate they have no lasting emotional after-effects from their abortion. Some women, however, struggle with a variety of difficulties which may have their root in their abortion. Some women cope for years with thoughts or feelings which may be triggered by life experiences. Some of these could be:

  • grief, anguish, a sense of loss1,16
  • depression2,17
  • thoughts of hurting self3
  • suicidal tendencies18,19
  • anxiety4
  • low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, uselessness5
  • sexual issues (dissociation, having many sex partners)6,20
  • not wanting sex7
  • guilt or remorse8
  • anger toward self9
  • relationships breaking up, inability to sustain  intimacy10,11,21
  • drug or alcohol misuse, excessive behaviors (e.g., shopping)2,12,22
  • eating disorders13
  • bonding issues with previous or subsequent children14
  • preoccupation with becoming or not becoming pregnant15,23
  • anxiety during childbirth15

If you are experiencing some of the above difficulties, we provide counselling to help you put your abortion behind you. Facilitated by trained volunteer counsellors, women are offered information and pro-active exercises to work through their healing journey.

Counselling can also be provided for men who wish to talk about their partner's abortion.

As well, consultations are available for parents whose daughter has gone through an abortion

All services are free and confidential.

 

 

Resources for more information

Websites

www.afterabortion.org
The web's most complete source of information on the aftereffects of abortion and post-abortion healing with over 500 links to thousands of pages of original research, testimonies, articles, and resources. Most of these are drawn from articles and books published by the Elliot Institute, one of the nation's leading authorities on post-abortion issues.

www.unfairchoice.info/healing.htm
You are not alone in what you have been feeling, and you don’t need to be alone and isolated as you recover

Citations:

  1. Burke, T. (2002). Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion. Springfield, Il: Acorn Books, 49-62.
  2. Pritchard, Chris, "Abortion a Risk Factor for Later Mental Illness," The  Medical Post, February 3, 2006
  3. Terkel, D. (1988). Abortion: Facing the Issues. New York, NY: Impact Books.
  4. Masse, S. & Phillips. J. (1998). Her Choice to Heal., Colorado Springs, CO. Chariot Publishing.
  5. Rue,V., Coleman, P., & Reardon, D. (2004). "Induced Abortion & Traumatic Stress," Medical Science Monitor, 10(10) SR5-16
  6. Ring-Cassidy, F & Gentles, I. (2002), Women's Health after Abortion. Toronto, ON: The deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research. 61-85.
  7. Mathews-Green, R. (1997). Real Choices. Ben Lomond, CA: Conciliar Press.
  8. Bigliardi, P. (1994). Beyond the Hidden Pain of Abortion. Lynwood, WA: Women Aglow Fellowship.
  9. Frater, A. & Wright, C. (1986). Coping After Abortion. Edinburgh, Scotland: W.& R. Chambers.
  10. Koerbel, P. (1990). Does Anyone Else Feel Like I Do? New York, NY: Doubleday.
  11. Saltenberger, A. (1983). Every Woman has a Right  to Know the Dangers of Legal Abortion. Glassboro, NJ: Air-Plus Enterprises.
  12. Freed, L. & Salazar,P. (1993). A Season to Heal. Nashville, TN: Cumberland House.
  13. Crawford, D. & Mannion, M. (1989). Psycho-Spiritual Healing after Abortion. Kansas City, MO: Sheed & Ward.
  14. Ney, P. (1997). Deeply Damaged. Victoria,  B.C.: Pioneer Publishing.
  15. Reisser, T. (1999). A Solitary Sorrow: Finding Healing & Wholeness After Abortion. Toronto, ON: Lifecycle Books.
  16. Williams, G., "Short-term grief after an elective abortion," Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecological Neonatal Nursing 30(2): 174-183, 2001
  17. Cougle, J. et al, "Depression associated with abortion and childbirth: A long-term analysis of the NLSY cohort," Medical Science Monitor, 9:CR 105-112, 2003.
  18. Morgan, C. et al, "Mental Health may deteriorate as a direct effect of induced abortion," British Medical Journal, 314:902, 1997.
  19. Gissler, M., Berg, C., Bouvier-Colle, M., &  Buekens, P, "Injury deaths, suicides and homicides associated with pregnancy in  Finland," 1987-2000, The European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 15, No. 5 459-463, July 28, 2005.
  20. National Study of Family Growth - 1995 V, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Centre for Health Statistics, 1997.
  21. Berger, C. et al, "Repeat Abortion: Is It a Problem?," Family Planning Perspectives, 16(2): 70, 1984.
  22. Coleman, P., et al, "History of induced abortion in relation to substance abuse during subsequent pregnancies carried to term," American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 187: 1673-1678, 2002
  23. Gsellman, L, "Physical & Psychological Injury in Women following Abortion: Akron Pregnancy Services Survey," Association  for Interdisciplinary Research in Values & Social Change Newsletter, 5(4)  1-8, 1993

107-1505 Admirals Road
Victoria, British Columbia
V9A 2P8

e-mail:  info@optionspregnancy.org
phone:   250-380-6883

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Volunteer counsellors are available at the Pregnancy Centre in Victoria most days during office hours at 380-6883 or anyone wishing to talk to a counsellor outside our office hours may call 24/7 at
1-800-665-0570

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