After an Abortion

Abortion can be a very traumatic experience for both women and men, and even other family and friends involved. Even though our society tells us that abortion is legal and no big deal, it has harmful after-effects on the many lives it has touched.

Post-Abortion Syndrome

Post-Abortion Syndrome or PAS is a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PAS may occur immediately following the abortion, but may also develop years later or come to the surface around the anniversary of the abortion, the expected due date of the baby, major holidays, and celebrations. The following list includes the most common symptoms and disorders have been attributed to PAS: sadness, depression, thoughts of suicide, low self-esteem, anxiety, trouble bonding with other children, uncontrollable crying, drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders, trouble sleeping, self-punishing behaviors, abusive relationships, promiscuity, survival guilt, and reliving the abortion experience.

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Post-Abortion Help Hotlines

1 (877) 586-4621 – Lumina is a post-abortion referral network that offers retreats, counseling and other services.

1 (800) 57-WOMAN – Right to Life of Michigan has a 24-hour toll-free hotline that is operated by OptionLine to find people local agencies in Michigan that offer post-abortive counseling, pregnancy help and adoption referrals.

Post-Abortive Retreats

Rachel’s Vineyard offers weekend retreats for those suffering from an abortion experience to enter into a non-judgmental safe place to think and explore their feelings about abortion. Rachel’s Vineyard believes it is important for them to grieve the loss of their unborn child before they can take the steps toward healing and forgiveness. For more information, click the links below.

Rachel’s Vineyard
Rachel’s Vineyard (for Men)

Families and Abortion

Women are not the only ones who can feel the pain and suffering brought about by an abortion. Studies show that abortion can also leave families heartbroken. Fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings also feel the residual undesirable impact of abortion.

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Online Help

These sites/organizations offer a variety of resources to those who have been touched by abortion. While they should not substitute for seeing a counselor, they may help post-abortive women and men.

SaveOne
Healing Hearts
Lumina
Project Rachel
Silent No More Awareness

Surrendering the Secret
Life Issues Institute (Men)

Recommended Books

These books are available from Right to Life of Michigan’s Educational Resource Centers, or can be found online for sale.

Find a resource center near you

Changed by Michaelene Fredenburg – This is a collection of short stories told by people who have experienced abortion directly or indirectly.

Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion by Theresa Burke – Written by a counselor who has devoted more than 18 years to helping women come to terms with their past abortions.

Forgiven and Set Free: A Post-Abortion Bible Study for Women by Linda Cochrane – This bible study encourages women to come to terms with their abortion and find healing and forgiveness.

Healing a Father’s Heart: A Post-Abortion Bible Study for Men by Linda Cochrane – This bible study encourages men to come to terms with their abortion and find healing and forgiveness.

Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace after Abortion by Sydna Masse – The author is a post-abortive woman who found healing through Christian faith and wants to share her message of hope to other suffering women.

Men and Abortion: A Path to Healing by C.T. Coyle – This book is for men involved in the abortion process.

Redeeming a Father’s Heart by Burke, Welmhoff & Stockwell – This book is a collection of real stories from men who have experienced abortion