So your job brings you in contact with pregnant women?
You hold a position of great influence. Whether you are a doctor, a teacher, a counselor or an employer, I wonder if you have considered the power you have when in the presence of a vulnerable woman facing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. She is searching for answers and anything you offer – delivered with the authority of your professional position – will likely be given more credit than other assistance or opinions she seeks.
For this reason it is imperative that you select your words carefully. Ensure you ask questions that prompt her to think beyond the shock of what is happening now, to the repercussions of her decision long-term. Make sure your words are not coercive or demeaning, but laced with love and respect.
Don’t Assume.
Please don’t assume you know what she wants, or even what is best for her. We have heard from countless women who went to their doctor after discovering they were pregnant and their first response was to hand her a referral to an abortion clinic. This is not choice, this is coercion. Don’t assume that she is too young, too mentally unstable, too financially stretched, too old, too emotionally frayed, too career-focused, too sick and so on. You will no doubt know this anecdotally already, but women are strong beyond measure and when a hurdle comes their way they draw strength from deep within and overcome.
So, don’t assume, but do listen and give her the spectrum of choice by discussing in full the support available to women just like her who choose to continue the pregnancy or adopt their child to a loving family.
Direct her to us here at Pregnancy Matters where we can help her with practical, emotional and ongoing support. We have the time and desire to help women and men who would like to continue with a pregnancy but feel overwhelmed.
We’ve also found it extremely important that women in unplanned or crisis pregnancies have the support of loved ones. You have the opportunity to suggest and encourage her to share with friends, family and/or the partner so she’s not travelling alone.
Get informed so you can pass it on.
We know that many professionals fail to acknowledge the risks associated with abortion, let alone pass information on. You have the opportunity to do just that. Wouldn’t you have a clearer conscience knowing that the support and advice you provided was complete and unbiased?
A comprehensive study into the effects of abortion revealed that:
Women who had undergone abortion experienced an 81 per cent increased risk of mental health problems.
Nearly 10 per cent of all mental health problems in women were shown to be directly attributable to abortion.
Abortion is linked with a 34 per cent greater chance of anxiety disorders and 37 per cent higher possibility of depression.
Women who have had an abortion are twice as susceptible to alcohol abuse, have a three times greater risk of cannabis use and a 155 per cent greater risk of trying to take their own life.
Help for you. Help for her.
Abortion grief is completely different to other forms of grief. Abortion Grief Australia likens it to a mixture of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and child sexual abuse. As we understand the devastating affects of abortion on women, we edge closer to prevention. Abortion Grief Australia is an organisation working to give health and welfare professionals the support structure needed to develop their expertise in identification, early intervention, healing and prevention of abortion trauma.
