There is no right or wrong way to feel after your abortion. Every woman’s experience is unique. Some women feel relieved, and some women regret their decision right away. Some women have deep feelings of loss, and others may not feel much at all.
It’s common to feel many things all at once! Relief, anger, sadness, and hope can all exist at one time. That may be confusing, but it’s also normal.
If you have had an abortion (or know someone who has), maybe you have noticed changes emotionally or physically, and you wonder what has brought on the change. Some women and men who have been involved in an abortion decision have feelings of sadness, loneliness, anger, or a lack of interest in work, school, or even sex.
Many women, no matter what they feel, find it helpful to talk about their abortion. A trained professional, a family member, or a close friend can offer great support. Some women avoid talking through their feelings because they feel ashamed, or they fear the judgment of others.
You might not have told your parents, friends, or significant other about your abortion. That doesn’t mean you need to sort out your feelings alone. In fact, the people close to you may be experiencing the same things. You can get help.
There are many places that offer women help and emotional healing. You can call us at 1-800-712-HELP to connect with caring, non-judgmental help in your area. If you are concerned about someone finding out about your abortion, we can connect you to help outside your area too. All of our services are confidential.
One thing that surprises many women is when these feelings don’t show up in the weeks and months after an abortion, but pop up years later. It can be overwhelming and confusing to deal with emotions from the distant past. It’s never too late get help or counseling. There is no time limit on your feelings.
It doesn’t matter if your abortion was yesterday or 20 years ago. Option Line can help you find support. We can give you the number for a hotline where you can speak to someone about the way you feel right away, or connect you with a group in your area that meets in person. There are even weekend retreats ready to help women sort through any difficult emotions they’re experiencing from a past abortion.
Just as every woman experiences abortion differently, every woman has a unique path to moving on.
If you’re looking for emotional support after abortion, you can chat with us here on the website, text us, send us a message, or call us at 1-800-712-4357. We’re here to help.
Note: Option Line and our network of participating pregnancy centers offers peer counseling and accurate information about all pregnancy options; however, these centers do not offer or refer for abortion services. The information presented on this website and given through contacting Option Line is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.