Post-abortion care

You may feel physically fine very shortly after an abortion. Some people, however, may be concerned about whether there were any physical complications as a result of their abortion, or whether they will be able to get pregnant when they want to in the future. During a post-abortion check-up (about two weeks after an abortion), a doctor or other clinician can alleviate anxieties of this sort and can answer any questions that you may not have thought to ask at the time of your abortion. You might feel a sense of relief and reassurance after your post-abortion check-up and most abortion providers encourage this check-up and offer it free of charge.

You might feel like you are ready to put the unintended pregnancy and the abortion behind you and move on with your life, but some people feel the need to talk about the experience and their feelings about it with someone other than their abortion provider. Talking with a caring and supportive person can be both comforting and useful. You may choose a friend, partner, counsellor, family member, clergy, or someone else who gives positive support, and does not judge the choice that you made.

Writing down your thoughts can help you review the options you have, can help you make sense of the pregnancy and other life issues like relationships, job security, finances, housing and even your family and friends.  You may find that separating all the issues involved in your decision, and writing them down or saying them out loud to yourself or a friend helps you feel less overwhelmed and better able to cope as you work through your feelings.

Your decision to have an abortion could be related to your hopes and plans for your future. Envisioning what you want your life to be like and thinking about how you want to live now in order to realise the future you most desire can help when you are facing difficulty in making a decision. By projecting yourself into the future, you can direct yourself toward a more stable and secure emotional health.

Most people who have abortions believe that they made the best decision they could at the time, given their resources, their obligations, and their values. You might find it helpful to repeat positive and affirming statements to yourself at times when you feel sad or doubtful or worried. A mantra could be: “I am at peace and I feel happy that I had the access needed to make an informed decision for myself.” Some people have other kinds of mantras, or poetic lines, or simple one-worded statements as simple as “Peace” that may give them comfort and reduce anxiety when recited.

Most people return to their usual activities and interests very shortly after an abortion. If you are finding it difficult to do that you may take up a new or creative activity, such as writing poetry, painting, or keeping a journal. You may find that a creative outlet can help you work through your feelings.

Some people find that performing a ritual or some kind of “letting-go” ceremony helps them to complete the resolution of their feelings. You could try the following:

• lighting a candle and meditating
• writing down words or symbols of the loss involved and then burying or burning the paper
• offering a prayer to God, Nature, the Divine Truth, or Inner Spirit, as is appropriate for the person themself