Neobirth Pregnancy Care Centre

The fact that you have clicked onto this page shows you either had an abortion, are considering one or someone close to you are considering one – maybe even your girlfriend.

If you are considering an abortion, please make sure that you also visit the page concerning a crisis pregnancy in order for you to make an informed decision.

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, abortion –

Seems like the easiest option

Promises to turn back the clock

Takes away the pressures of difficult circumstances

Seems to be a quick solution

When you fell pregnant, it became part of your life experiences – although an abortion will take away your pregnancy it can never take away the life experience. Saying that, it is important to realize that an abortion is not an eraser for a pregnancy, nor is it a 'quick fix'.

When you are in an urgent and difficult situation, abortion seems like the best thing to do. But most people know very little about abortion. It is important for you to have all the information so that you can decide for yourself.

The facts about abortion...

Most abortions are done before 12 weeks of pregnancy when they are performed under local anaesthetic by suction method (please note that methods and services do differ – make sure about the method and after care before you choose a service provider).

Problems that can occur are:

Haemorrhaging (bleeding)
Damage to the cervix (which may cause later miscarriages)
Infection

More significantly, there are emotional effects:
initially a sense of relief...then days, months, years later other feelings...
numbness
sadness
guilt and shame
sense of loss
emptiness
grief
anger
depression

You may not have realized what was involved in an abortion. Take time and think through all the information given. Based on our experience of helping those who had abortions, these are some useful questions you may want to ask yourself:

What were your feelings about abortion before you found yourself in your current situation?
What do you feel you would gain by having an abortion?
What might you loose?
Can you imagine how you might feel following an abortion?
How much does it matter to you how developed the foetus is?

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, many women feel as if their head is telling them one thing and their heart another. Do you also feel this 'split'?

Abortion is not an easy thing to do. It may appear as if it is, but many women find they simply exchange one set of problems for another.

Please note...

Make 100% sure it is what you want to do, not your partner, parents or friends
Make sure of what you can expect to happen after the abortion – emotions and possible after effects. You must count the cost.
It is very important to have a support system. You shouldn't be alone now. Think of someone you can talk to before and after the abortion.
If you are prone to depression, make a list of symptoms that will give you an indication of when you'll need help. Remember that at the time when you experience these emotions you won't feel like going for help, therefore it is good that you are sensitive to the emotions even before they surface.
Debrief after the procedure, by giving yourself time to talk about it, especially if it was a negative experience. Make use of post-abortion counselling as soon as you feel a need. At Neo Birth Pregnancy Care Centre you can just phone in and ask for Post-Abortion counselling – please be assured that you will be treated with care and all information will stay confidential.

You may feel you need more information before you make a final decision. Neo Birth is there to help you find out how you feel about having an abortion

Post-Abortion Stress

Although an abortion is something a woman may have chosen for various reasons at a difficult time in her life, it may still be an extremely painful emotional experience for her afterwards. Even if it was a long time ago, it will remain her uncomfortable secret, not her badge of honour.

Many woman find it difficult to understand why they feel the way they do. They think they are the only ones who have a problem being near babies or walking past a crèche. That sudden tearfulness, the feeling of emptiness, that bad dream you had about a baby...

It's called post-abortion stress and many suffer from it in silence. Partners don't seem to understand; tension rises. Relationships break down. Life can seem overwhelming.

Some women even turn to drink or drugs to try to numb the pain of it all.

Are you experiencing PAS?

Do you often struggle with any feelings/memories connected to your abortion?
Are you able to talk about abortion in general or about your own abortion?
Do you often feel so depressed that you cannot maintain your normal routine?
Has your use of drugs or alcohol increased since your abortion?
Do you find it difficult to find, build or maintain good relationships with people of the opposite sex?
Do you often have any of the following thoughts?:
Do you suffer from any of the following?:

Always remember...

If you are suffering from the loss of a child from abortion, there is help for you – you don't have to be alone. Neo Birth offers free post-abortion counselling. It takes a lot of courage to come for help. You'll have the opportunity to see someone on a one-to-one basis. You'll be able to tell your story confidentially and gradually work through your feelings such as guilt and shame, grief, anger and depression. You'll be offered help to resolve these things in healthy ways, rather than struggle to keep everything under control.