Understanding Abortion's Aftermath

It's normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion. It can form a hole in one's heart, a hole so deep that sometimes it seems nothing can fill the emptiness. Evidence of post-abortion trauma is increasingly attested to by psychologists, counselors and those involved in post-abortion ministry. We now know, for example, that women hurt by abortion may have some or many of the following symptoms:

• Low self-esteem
• Grief (mild to profound)
• Depression (sometimes to the point of suicidal thoughts and attempts)
• A sense of alienation from family and friends
• A feeling of being 'numb,' not able to feel joy from activities that used to be pleasurable
• Isolating self from others to avoid discussing the abortion experience with them
• Guilt and shame
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anger toward self, or the child's father, or others involved in the abortion decision
• Sleep disorders
• Abortion-related nightmares, flashbacks or even sounds of a baby crying
• Alcohol and drug problems, to dull the sorrow
• Desire for a 'replacement' baby
• Anniversary reactions of grief or depression on the date of the abortion or the baby's expected due date
• Problems bonding with her other children (being over-protective but emotionally distant)
• Fear that God will punish her, or is punishing her

 

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