After The Choice of Abortion

If you have made the choice of abortion in your past, and you are struggling with feelings and emotions regarding your choice, please know that you are not alone.

The Alan Guttmacher Institute (a non-profit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education) reports on their website “about half of American women have experienced an unintended pregnancy, and at current rates more than one-third will have had an abortion by age 45.”  Guttmacher also reports “46 million women around the world have abortions each year.” 

Unfortunately, many of us who have chosen abortion keep it a secret ~ and we suffer silently.  Often we secretly and quickly made our choice in the absence of much information.  At first the abortion brought relief, but later it gave way to an unexplainable sadness. 

If you find yourself experiencing any of the following emotional symptoms or behavioral changes, this may be due to post-abortion stress:

• guilt, shame, sorrow, despair, regret, loneliness, bitterness, unworthiness, remorse, grief, hopelessness, helplessness

• anger, rage, panic, depression, frustration, self-hatred, self-condemnation, confusion

• fear of God’s punishment, fear of failure, fears/nightmares about losing a child

• preoccupation with the anniversary date of your abortion, or what would have been your “due date”

• over-protective of living children,  failure to bond with subsequent children, damaged relationships with living children

• changes in relationships, abusive relationships, marital stress

• difficulty with all types of intimacy, loss of interest in sex, promiscuity or frigidity

• suicidal impulses, self-punishing and/or self-degrading behavior, alcohol and/or drug abuse

• loss of normal sources of pleasure, withdrawn, secretive

How do I find healing?

Abortion Healing Assistance of Jacksonville is a ministry of First Coast Women’s Services that provides a confidential, non-judgmental, safe place for you to seek healing from the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion.  Women who can identify with your grief, confusion, and pain are ready to encourage and support you…with the same help they have received.  We offer an 11-week Bible study, Forgiven and Set Free, which enables you to:

• work through denial

• share fears and pain

• deal with guilt

• clear up misconceptions about God

• grieve the loss of your child

• come to acceptance

• experience emotional and spiritual recovery

A few women who have been through the Forgiven and Set Free Bible study share their personal testimonies:

"I thought I’d gotten over the abortion I had so many years before, but realized that I had a lot of pain and hurt buried deep inside of me.  In the program, I learned to work through much of that pain.  Best of all, I know without a doubt that I am forever forgiven.” ~Karin

“My first child died in a ‘simple procedure’ called abortion.  I was filled with self-pity and unworthiness, living in fear of people finding out – and their judgment.  And then I learned the power of God’s forgiveness.  He really does give us beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61).” ~Stephanie

"For fifteen years I denied that I had terminated my child’s life.  It wasn’t until I fell into a ‘dark hole’ of depression and anxiety that I cried out to God.  Through the Forgiven & Set Free Bible study God poured out His grace and mercy upon me and healed my broken heart.  Experiencing God’s unconditional love through this Bible study changed my life.” ~Tommye

“I really didn’t think I needed to attend Forever Forgiven because my abortions had occurred more than 20 years ago and I had long since accepted God’s forgiveness.  What I discovered was that my wounds still needed healing.  Now that I have overcome my shame, I am able to reach out and help others.” ~Sara

To Contact Us

If you are hurting, we want you to know we understand and care.  Compassion and concern are available for you today, tomorrow, or whenever you may need us.  Call for help to begin your healing.  All contact is confidential.

You may reach us at (904) 262-6300, ext.25
or
You may contact us via e-mail @ AHA@fcws.org

Other Resources

You may click on the links below for additional information:

www.silentnomoreawareness.org
www.ramahinternational.org
www.feministsforlife.org
www.hopeafterabortion.com
www.rachelsvineyard.org

Post Abortion Support For Men

We know that women are not the only ones who suffer from the choice of abortion.  If you are a man, and you are struggling with pain from an abortion decision, there is hope and healing available for you as well.  Please click here for more information.