It’s not unusual for women to wonder how quickly they can become pregnant following an abortion. As you’ve potentially found out, it is possible to get pregnant within two weeks afterward, even if you are still bleeding from the procedure.
Despite social media sites encouraging you to “Shout Your Abortion,” you most likely didn’t share the experience with anyone but your partner or closest friend. The stigma is real, and so is the feeling of guilt or shame.
Becoming pregnant again after having an abortion makes you feel irresponsible, and the thought of sharing the news is even harder than the first time.
Your Grief is Real
We doubt there is a woman who sincerely hopes one day she will experience an abortion. It is a decision often made out of desperation, isolation, and fear. Many women who choose abortion say they felt pressured by partners, family members, or friends.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your abortion, your grief is real. Your feelings are valid, and you have every right to express what you are experiencing.
In her article “The Secret Grief of Abortion,” Corrine Barraclough states, “for too long society and the medical profession have denied any negative aspects of abortion. That’s not helpful to those trying to navigate the aftermath of abortion.”
Learn About Jennifer’s Story
Jennifer shares her story of abortion and her second pregnancy on the YouTube channel Context, Beyond the Headlines. She tells how her father demanded she have an abortion at the age of 18, even though she wanted to keep her baby.
She says, “My mother dropped me off at the hospital early in the morning, and my dad picked me up at the end of the day. And because I was 18, I remember signing the papers, I took full responsibility for it, but my heart was in my throat. I really didn’t want to do it.”
“Lying in a Room Feeling Empty.”
“I remained in that hospital bed all day until my father finished work at five to come pick me up. I had a long time to think about what I had done and wondering about the other women around me. Did they know what I had just done, or had they done the same thing?”
“Nobody Asked Me How I Felt.”
“Alone. No boyfriend there. No mom. No dad. Everyone felt better but me. It was like it never happened…Nobody asked me how I felt, how I was doing, physically, emotionally. Their problem was solved.”
“There was evidence of that post-traumatic stress, even just a year later when I tried to take my own life…I didn’t want forgiveness. I felt I deserved wrath. I deserved all the pain I was feeling. It was one of the most difficult times in my life.”
Pregnant for the Second Time
Jennifer explains that when she got pregnant a second time, she knew she did not want to have another abortion, but she was in an extremely abusive relationship. She was concerned for her safety and that of her child.
She says, “But I knew abortion wasn’t an option based on my experience, so I sought out a pregnancy care center… and they helped me to look at what parenting might look like. What adoption might look like. That pregnancy was kind of the beginning of the road to recovery for me because I chose to parent that child, and I had to get myself healthy.”
At Choices, We Care About You Physically and Emotionally
Moving past the guilt of an abortion, especially with a new pregnancy, can be challenging by yourself. It is possible to receive the healing you need, but sharing your experience and hearing from others who understand is critical. Keeping silent only adds to your guilt and sadness.
Jennifer’s guilt was real. For a time, she felt she deserved the pain she was feeling, but she found help and answers at a pregnancy center. You can find comfort and compassion there, too.
The team at Choices is ready to walk alongside you. Our support never judges or accuses. We understand both the physical and emotional consequences that can occur with abortion and a subsequent pregnancy.
As a result, we offer one-on-one and group meetings for support after a previous abortion to help you move past the guilt and find healing. Your struggle is unique, but others have been where you are, and they are ready to speak into your life and offer the care and support you deserve. If you’re not ready to be known, you can join anonymously to talk or simply listen.
Now is the time to confirm your pregnancy with no-cost pregnancy testing and an ultrasound. To help you move forward, we can also discuss your situation and the options available. We genuinely care about you.
Connect with us today. Share your story and begin the next chapter. We’re here for you.
We do not perform or refer for abortions at Choices.