Post Abortion Support
All women have different experiences; some women feel relief, while others have post-abortion grief or stress. The emotions may come up immediately after the procedure, and/or some may occur later in life. Intense feelings can develop from a wide variety of reasons – the length of the pregnancy, one’s mental health, multiple losses associated with the abortion, or even because of religious or cultural beliefs. There is no right or wrong way to feel after an abortion; all your emotions are valid.
For post abortion support in hamilton, you can meet one-on-one with a registered social worker to work through, understand, and process the feelings you may have post-abortion. We’re here to talk and connect you with the right support necessary. We provide an 8 to 10-week group support program (in which we use a workbook) so you can heal within a supportive community and compassionate environment.
Grief and Stress Post-Abortion
You may find difficulty processing the negative emotions and thoughts associated with a crisis pregnancy and subsequent abortion. Those emotions can be anything from sorrow, anger, and guilt, to relief, disbelief, and regret. Coming to peace with your decision may be the most challenging part of all; it can put a heavy burden upon your mental well-being.
Symptoms of Stress and Grief Post-Abortion May Include
- Sadness
- Feeling compelled to hide the abortion
- Having lingering guilt or shame
- Emotional numbing
- Struggling with intimacy
- Avoiding relationships
- Disturbing thoughts about babies or children
- Thinking you are unworthy
- Reacting physically or emotionally when abortion is mentioned
- Anxiety over childbearing
- Thoughts of suicide
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Self-destructive behaviour
We're Here to Walk You Through the Process
You matter to the Atwell community, and with P.A.S. (Post-Abortion Support Services), you don’t have to feel isolated or struggle alone if you’re grappling with your abortion journey.
Our 8 to 10-week program is designed to be a place where you can share your experiences and feelings with others who understand what you’ve been through. Find support in overcoming emotional issues following an abortion with the help of others who have been where you’re at right now.
Next Steps:
- If you’re struggling with the effects of a past abortion, come into the centre or contact us to learn more about our P.A.S. program and how it can help you through this challenging time.
- We’re available to talk to you about any post-abortion-related feelings and emotions you may have.
FAQ
There are numerous ways you can comfort someone post-abortion, but it’s important to remember that everyone is different. It’s essential to be mindful of the situation. Don’t push them to talk about the abortion experience, as they may not be ready to do so. The support you give can come in a variety of ways, such as checking in to see if they need anything, offering to run errands, and taking them to follow-up appointments or P.A.S. sessions. Post-abortion grief is an exhausting and painful experience, so it’s important to be as supportive as possible. Listen when they need to talk, and prepare to comfort them when appropriate, whether it’s physically, emotionally, or mentally.
The post-abortion experience can be full of mixed emotions, from depression, regret, or guilt, to other feelings of isolation, loss, or loneliness. These emotions and feelings can lead to more severe cases of stress, in which thoughts of suicide, physical/emotional reactions, emotional numbing, or alcohol and drug abuse can develop. Counselling can offer the compassionate support you require in your time of need. At Atwell, we provide you with post-abortion support so you don’t struggle alone.
It’s highly possible that both you and your partner will experience a variety of emotions folllowing abortion. It’s a common experience for men to go through post-abortion grief, sadness, and depression alongside their partners. P.A.S. offers the same amount of compassionate support for men dealing with difficult emotions after the abortion procedure. Our 8 to 10-week group program is designed to be a place where anyone can share their experiences and feelings with others that are in a similar situation.
There is no duration of time until you feel “normal” after an abortion. The experience is different for everyone, and there’s no telling how soon it will be until you feel some sort of normalcy. Grief or stress can linger for weeks or even recur later in life. What’s important is the support process after the experience. With the right amount of support, whether it’s from loved ones, friends, family, and/or professional counselling, you’ll hopefully find your way to a new normal.
"I never thought I'd feel this way"
Book a free post-abortion support session with us today!
