After A Recent Abortion

Immediately after an abortion, there is often an emotion of relief that the situation has been resolved.  However, many also have nagging doubts and apprehensions about the long-term impact of the abortion process.  If your abortion was within the last six months, there are a few recommended steps to help ensure that the abortion did not harm you physically.

Please understand that Ramah International offers this as general information.  Sydna Masse is not a physician or professional counselor.  Her expertise in abortion recovery is based on assisting women spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and physically after abortion.  While working with tens of thousands of post-abortive people over the last twenty-four years, Sydna has learned that some experiences are very common.

Understand that your hormones are in the process of shifting back to a non-pregnant state.  Having unbalanced hormones leads many to experience emotional ups and downs.  When you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that your body is changing back to a non-pregnancy level and it may take a few months for your emotions to become normal again.

Be sure to schedule a follow-up exam by a physician that does not perform or refer for abortion procedures.  Very few states have adopted health-code regulations to regulate the general sanitation of abortion clinics.  It makes good sense to have a physician uninvolved in the abortion industry ensure that your healthcare in this procedure was appropriate and safe.  This will set many potential fears of infertility at rest and resolve any medical issues that may have resulted from your abortion experience.

Realize that it is normal to be angry after an abortion experience.   Anger is the most typical emotion endured immediately after this procedure based on discussions with tens of thousands of post-abortive women. This is particularly true if you were pressured by others to abort.  The hormonal imbalances can also impact all emotional reactions, particular related to anger.

Give yourself permission to grieve this pregnancy loss if that emotion arises.  You have experienced a pregnancy loss, regardless of the fact that it was your choice. Loss often involves a level of grief. If needed, find a private place to express this grief.  You deserve that opportunity.  Abortion recovery programs can also help and are primarily offer through your local pregnancy centers.

Feeling “relieved” is also a very common emotion after abortion.  The “crisis” is over and the situation has been resolved for many women after abortion.  Perhaps the people that were pressuring you to make this decision have backed down.  Things seemed to have smoothed out in your life.  This “relief” can be temporary.  Other emotions can find their way into your heart as the days, months and years pass.  If feelings of relief are replaced with other emotions (i.e., depression, grief, etc.), understand you may be impacted by Abortion PTSD.

Some post-abortive women feel an urgency to become pregnant again as soon as possible.  Many times, this urgency is driven by a fear that the abortion may have impacted their fertility abilities.  Some mothers seek to “replace” the lost child with another baby.  Many who successfully become pregnant again may find themselves facing the same pressure and lack of support from those around them.  They can very easily abort again and again.  A second or third abortion can be more difficult emotionally than the initial one, particularly if the woman wanted to become pregnant again.  Multiple abortions trigger the memories of previous procedures, which can make additional abortions more emotionally agonizing. If you are enduring this fear, review the  Abortion PTSD  Symptoms and consider contacting your local pregnancy center for abortion recovery support services.

When you hear the word abortion in conversation or media coverage, understand that it can trigger emotional pain It is impossible to avoid this term in our society.   If anxiety or pain overwhelms you at the mention of the abortion term, you may need some help in addressing this past choice.  Consider contacting your local pregnancy center for abortion recovery support services.  They can help!

Understand there is help if you are overwhelmed with any emotions related to this choice. Planned Parenthood, the world’s largest abortion provider, outlines that 33% of all American women will experience abortion.  If abortion is such a common American experience, why is it that you rarely hear anyone talk about their past choice?  Abortion is a difficult choice to admit at a public level due to the broad political spectrum of emotions related to this topic.   Abortion recovery programs are available to help you at a confidential level.  Consider contacting your local pregnancy center for abortion recovery support services.

If you are experiencing any of the emotions or issues outlined above, please review an outline of Abortion PTSD (also called post-abortion syndrome).   If you discover that you are experiencing three or more of the listed symptoms, an abortion recovery program could help. Many post-abortive people outlined they had no clue that their abortion experience was at the root of their overall emotional issues.   If contacting a center seems overwhelming, considering obtaining a copy of Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion (David C. Cook Publishing). This book can help you understand the emotions you may be experiencing and begin your own private healing after abortion process.  To find a local abortion recovery program that can help at a confidential level, visit: Help in Your Area.

Sydna Masse

Hello, I am Sydna Massé Founder and CEO of Ramah International and the author of Her Choice to Heal. I'd love to keep in touch and include you in our prayer chain as we continue to serve abortion's wounded and those considering abortion.

Email Updates

Please sign up to receive email updates, training information, specials on resources, and much more!

×