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After an abortion

After an abortion  

Click here if you’re looking for post-operative care instructions. 

WHO CHOOSES TO HAVE AN ABORTION?  

In their lifetime, up to one in three Australian women and people who can become pregnant will choose to have an abortion, for many different reasons. They are parents, siblings, cousins, spouses, partners and grandparents. They can come from any profession and from all walks of life. They come from many different religious and cultural backgrounds. They can be wealthy, getting by, or struggling financially. They are married, in long term relationships, single, divorced, having casual sex, or victims of sexual assault. They usually share the belief that while the decision may have been difficult, they made the best choice at the time.  You are not alone in your choice to have an abortion. 

AFTER AN ABORTION

A person who has had an abortion may have many different thoughts and feelings afterwards. Some of these could be: 

  • Relief 
  • Loss 
  • Anger 
  • Happy 
  • Regret 
  • Sadness 
  • Overwhelmed 
  • Empowered 

There is no right or wrong emotion when it comes to an abortion experience, and varying emotions afterwards are valid and okay. It might be helpful to talk to a trusted friend or family member, participate in a selfcare activity, or remind yourself why you made the decision to have an abortion. There is also a hormonal shift happening after a medication or a surgical abortion, which can affect how someone feels. 

If you are worried about coping after an abortion, please call us and organise to speak to one of our counsellors. We can support you with up to ten free counselling sessions. If you feel you are in crisis or unsafe, please call lifeline on 13 11 14.