HAD AN ABORTION?
Are you feeling any of these symptoms after your abortion?
A sense of sadness loss, regret, or emptiness
Difficulty getting the experience out of your mind
Difficulty being around pregnant women or babies
Depression, anxiety, difficulty in relationships, or addictions
A need to keep the experience a secret
Believing no one else will understand what you are feeling
LOVE LETTER TO YOU.
Hello,
As I sat down to write this note, I tried to think about what would have been helpful to me as I was leaving the clinic after my abortion in 1984. But then again, I’m not you and each person’s abortion experience is very personal and unique. There’s a lot I don’t know—what your situation is, what your beliefs are, why you chose abortion, and how you’re feeling now that it’s done.
What I do know is this. The emotional response to abortion can be complex. Current feelings of relief may shift into sadness and/or regret weeks, months or years from now. You may be wondering if you made the right decision, you may not have any second thoughts, or you may feel relief and regret at the same time.
I think the most important advice I can give you is this—be honest about your feelings, whatever they are and whenever they show up. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel about this experience.
If you are having some struggles, talk to someone—preferably someone who will let you process your feelings and help you understand why you feel the way you do. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone.
Elizabeth