Post Abortion

Post Abortion Programme

In 2007 198,500 women in England & Wales went through the trauma of abortion¹.
Nearly every family in the land knows someone affected by this.

Many of these women suffer terribly as a result.

Frequently the suffering is experienced in silence and isolation. This suffering may be physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual.

Luton Good Counsel helps anyone regardless of cultural or religious background.

We offer women a programme called ‘The Journey’ which leads to healing, reconciliation, restoration and peace. It is used by British Victims of Abortion (BVA) which is an affiliate of The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) Educational Research Trust.

¹Department of Health, Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2007

WHAT IS POST-ABORTION SYNDROME (P.A.S.)?

Following an abortion PAS may occur in both men and women due to inner conflict and confusion. Symptoms can be similar to those in any post-traumatic stress disorder.

Denial is a common coping mechanism in which the person not only pushes down overpowering emotions surrounding a painful event, but also part or all of the whole event itself. The duration of this denial varies enormously with individuals.

“The best available evidence indicates that on average there is a ten year period of denial during which women who were traumatised by their abortions will repress their feelings…. In brief, women at high risk are those who:

  • Feel pressured into having the abortion, or
  • Feel uncertainty or ambivalence about their choice.”

(Women at Risk of Post-Abortion Trauma, David C Reardon Ph.D, Elliot Institute, 2000)

MANIFESTATIONS OF POST ABORTION TRAUMA

Some or many of these symptoms may be displayed by the woman who has had an abortion and is experiencing trauma. Keep in mind, many women do not break denial and begin the healing process until seven to ten years after the abortion. These manifestations may occur much sooner and the woman may seek help for one of these problems without revealing her abortion.

  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Guilt
  • Grief
  • Suicidal ideation (in the USA 1800 to 4000 calling Suicide Anonymous in a 35 month period had prior abortions. Research by Meta Uchtman, Suicide Anonymous in Ohio).
  • Broken Relationships
  • Anger
  • Flashbacks
  • Drug/Alcohol abuse
  • Sexual dysfunction or promiscuity
  • Eating disorder (Anorexia, Bulimia)
  • Phobias
  • Atonement or replacement baby (many women become pregnant within 1 year of the abortion. Emergency Pregnancy Counsellors report that as many as 50% of their clients have had a previous abortion.)
  • Fear for her surviving children
  • Inability to express emotions
  • Psychic numbing
  • Possible physical pain (Psychogenic/Psychosomatic pain such as cramping and cervical pain.)
  • Difficult labours
  • Premature deliveries
  • Repeated miscarriages
  • Infertility
  • Sleep disturbances (baby dreams, auditory hallucinations of an infant crying, nightmares.)
  • Hyper alertness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Avoidance of activities that remind her of children/abortion/pregnancy
  • Lost relationships
  • Self punishment
  • Anxiety in subsequent pregnancies
  • Creation of phantom child
  • Fascination with children and birth which could become an obsession. (She may fixate on a child of a similar age to hers or fixate on a doll or some object that weighs what her aborted child would have weighed. (British Victims of Abortion)

The support programme offered by Luton Good Counsel is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL

If YOU know of anyone who has been affected by this trauma please ring 01582 411155
Anyone who approaches us for Post-Abortion Counselling will have a warm, compassionate, non-judgemental welcome

TESTIMONIES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE TRAVELLED ‘THE JOURNEY’

“Rescued my relationship with God” (a client)

“Saved me from insanity” (a client)

“Gratitude from start to finish” (a client)

“Very well suited to my needs, flexible appointments” (a client)

“Thank you for the tremendous care and support you offered (my client).” (A Social Worker)

“Your support and understanding have been a life-line to my client” (A Social Worker)

“My client remarked that this is the happiest and most content she has ever felt” (A Social Worker)


Click here for further testimonies from Post Abortion Clients

POPE JOHN PAUL II ADDRESSING WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD ABORTIONS

I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.

An extract from The Gospel of Life by His Holiness Pope John Paul II

Links
British Victims of Abortion
www.bvafoundation.org

Rachel’s Vineyard
www.rachelsvineyard.org

The Elliot Institute
www.afterabortion.org

Project Rachel
www.hopeafterabortion.com