Even if you are certain abortion is the best option for you at this time in your life, you may feel anxious and have concerns about terminating your pregnancy. One common concern is what to expect emotionally after an abortion. Neither the American Psychological Association nor the American Medical Association recognize "post-abortion syndrome." For the majority of women, emotional responses after an abortion are positive and women are able to move forward with their lives.

In our experience, if a woman makes her own decision and feels confident she is able to cope, she may experience sadness, disappointment, and loss as well as relief and resolution. These feelings may vary in intensity; however, most women report that they are manageable and are not constant. Other factors that contribute to a sense of well being following your abortion are accepting one’s reasons for terminating and a willingness to deal with both positive and negative feelings surrounding your decision.

There are some women who do experience extreme negative reactions such as depression, shame, guilt or regret. There are some predisposing factors that are linked to such reactions. They include the following: extreme ambivalence regarding the decision to terminate, feeling coerced into having an abortion, and expecting to cope poorly or feeling unable to cope due to other life stressors.

You may experience feelings of loss after an abortion regardless if you feel you made the best decision. The reasons for feelings of loss may vary. It is important to both identify and grieve these losses. Grieving is a process and everyone has a unique style of grieving. The process may involve setbacks; the goal is to gain acceptance. Denying painful feelings can lead to unhealthy and self-defeating behaviors.

We also recognize that an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy is a crisis situation; a crisis can be stressful and you may feel overwhelmed by your feelings. However, facing a crisis successfully can be a motivating experience. The ability to cope and face a crisis situation can be empowering. Also, the abortion may be a catalyst for positive changes in your life. You may be motivated to address other areas in your life that may need tending to such as relationship issues, future career/educational goals or other personal goals.

If you would like additional support in coping with your grief, a professional counseling session may be right for you. Professionally trained counselors are available to you after your abortion, and your first session is free if you were a patient at PPWHS.

Post abortion counseling is offered one-on-one or in a group setting.

Fee Scale:

Have a question? Email counseling@ppwp.org.

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