CHILDREN BY CHOICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

Coping after an abortion

Whilst some women will experience a sense of relief after their abortion, others may experience mixed feelings. Some women may have more difficulties coping with their abortion. Difficulties in coping seem to be triggered by a number of factors, including factors that are not directly involved with having an abortion.

In other words, the experience of abortion depends on more than just the woman's feelings, thoughts and personality. It is her ability to access resources when needed. It is her life situation and life history. It is her relationships with significant others in her life. It is her treatment from doctors, teachers, workmates, employers and health workers. It is the cultural expectations. It is society's expectations and beliefs. It is the laws, policies and practices.

Ideally, to improve women’s coping with the abortion experience, strategies need to take place at all of these levels. The selection menu on the left looks at some reasons why some women may experience difficulty coping after an abortion, and it also provides some strategies that may be useful for women who are having trouble coping with their decision to terminate a pregnancy.