The Pain After Abortion
Women who have had abortions may feel relieved right after the procedure is performed. However, there can be consequences, particularly emotional, which occur later and can have severe affects if steps are not taken to deal with them.

Feelings of grief, guilt and even depression are common among women who have had abortions. These feels are perfectly normal. The initial satisfaction after having terminated a pregnancy is short lived. Abortion may have seemed like the only way out - a solution to a problem.

However, the aborted mother may eventually end up feeling angry instead of content with her decision.

She may begin to deny all negative feelings she has regarding what she has done. As a result she may become self-destructive by using drugs or alcohol. She may become disappointed that the reasons for which she sacrificed her child (i.e. career, relationship, money) seem less significant after the fact. She in turn feels empty as a result.

Something can be done.
Any feelings of guilt, grief or anger must be allowed to come to the surface and dealt with. If not, women may get to a point where they become despondent - especially on the anniversary of the abortion. Some have been known to attempt suicide on this say due to negative feelings which have built up over the years.

Those who try to comfort these women do not realize the amount of support they need and may think the feelings will pass. However, women who have had abortion need to talk to people who know what they are going through.

Those who are at risk.
A woman of any age who has had an abortion is at risk of experiencing severe emotional effects from having had the procedure - even many years later - in spite of the fact that it may have seemed like a rational and good decision at the time. Although, women who have pre-existing psychiatric problem are more at risk.

We Can Help
Woman's New Life Center helps women who have had abortions and feel that they need someone to talk to. We can help sort through the many feelings that you may be going through. You don't have to go through it alone. We want to help. Please contact us for post-abortion counseling. Strict confidentiality is maintained at all times.