Overcoming Loss and Grief after an Abortion

May 7, 2024

Have you been struggling emotionally after an abortion? It’s important to know you’re not alone in what you’re experiencing.

While abortion affects every woman differently, some women face emotional and physical complexities that stem from feelings of grief and loss after an abortion.

This article will highlight the essentials you need to know about loss and grief after an abortion, as well as offer strategies you can implement to get on a path toward healing. If you want to talk with people who understand what you’re going through in a safe, supportive space, contact Choices today for a no-cost, confidential appointment.

What Grief Might Look Like After an Abortion

Grief is the often overwhelming emotional response to loss. Many people think that grief is simply sadness, but it’s a lot more complex and can cause physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Trouble thinking or concentrating
• Feeling like you’ve lost hope or a sense of direction

Prolonged grief that isn’t addressed can sometimes develop into complicated grief, which can include the following symptoms:

• Feeling as if a part of yourself is lost or has died
• Not believing that the death or loss has occurred
• Avoiding reminders of the death or loss
• Experiencing intense emotional pain relating to the loss that interferes with daily living
• Feeling emotionally numb, lonely, or as if your life doesn’t have meaning or purpose
• Finding it difficult to live life, make plans with friends, participate in activities you enjoy, or make decisions for the future

No matter your grief symptoms, it’s natural and understandable. But working through your grief and feelings of loss is essential for your health and well-being.

How to Overcome Loss and Grief After Abortion

Working through the grief and feelings of loss that can happen after an abortion is a complex process that doesn’t happen overnight or all at once. Additionally, what works for one person might not be as effective for someone else.

These facts should be kept in mind as you try the following strategies to work through your experience:

• Journal. Journaling is the act of putting your thoughts and experiences down on paper. Journaling is a safe, private way to express your innermost fears and feelings without worrying that anyone will see or cast judgment.
• Talk to someone you trust. Talking to a trusted friend or family member is another way to provide a release valve to what’s happening inside. When you talk about your feelings, you give yourself the space to work through them one by one.
• Seek professional help or a support group. If you don’t have a trusted friend or relative, seeking professional help or a support group is another beneficial option.
• Professionals, like counselors or therapists, can provide the private space to share your experience. Support groups are also full of people who can relate to your situation.

We’re Here to Help

At Choices, we understand what you’re going through. We know that the pain you’re feeling can seem neverending, but we also want you to know that help and healing are possible.

We offer after-abortion support that can help you get on a path toward emotional recovery. Don’t face this alone. Contact us today to find a safe, supportive space to heal.