If You've had an Abortion

Some women feel a sense of relief after an abortion, while other women find it a painful and difficult experience to move past. Women come to the centre hoping to resolve feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression. If you or someone you know may be experiencing post abortion grief, please contact us.

Individual peer counseling and support groups are available.

All services are free and confidential

Post abortion stress

Everyone's experience is different. While many women feel a sense of relief after an abortion, some women experience strong negative emotions. Some of these negative reactions may be immediate; and some occur many years after the abortion.  Post abortion grief can be related to a woman's age, length of pregnancy, previous mental health, religious or cultural beliefs, or whether she was pressured into an abortion.

Post Abortion Stress is described as the inability to:

1. Process the painful thoughts and emotions about a crisis pregnancy and subsequent abortion - guilt, anger and sorrow.
2. Identify the loss that has incurred.
3. Come to peace with self and others.
    

Symptoms of Post Abortion Stress may include:

• Sadness
• Feeling compelled to conceal an abortion
• Experiencing prolonged depression
• Psychological "numbing"
• Experiencing disturbing thoughts about babies and abortion
• Having lingering guilt and shame
• Believing you are unworthy
• Avoiding relationships or struggling with intimacy
• Reacting physically and emotionally when abortion is mentioned
• Anxiety over fertility or childbearing issues
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Engaging in self-destructive behavior
• Having thoughts of suicide
   

Women come to the centre hoping to resolve feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression. Women also inform us of secondary symptoms such as flashbacks of the abortion procedure, addictions, eating disorders, self harm, anniversary syndrome, spiritual disconnection, preoccupation with becoming pregnant again, and interruption of bonding with future children.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing post abortion stress, contact us. Individual peer counselling, and support groups are available.

All services are free and confidential