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             Have you been hurt by abortion?
                                  
                                   If so, you’re not alone . . .

By age 45, 1 in 3 women will have an abortion.* These women come from a variety of religions, race, age groups, and economic backgrounds, but they all share the same experience of living a life affected by abortion.


The following questions can help you discover how abortion has affected your life**


1. Do you find yourself struggling to turn off feelings connected to your abortion, perhaps telling yourself over and over again to forget about it and just get on with your life?

2. Are you affected by physical reminders of your abortion (babies, pregnant women, etc.)? Are you uncomfortable around pregnant women or children?

3. Are there certain times of the year you find yourself depressed, sick or accident-prone, especially around the anniversary date of the abortion or the would-be birth date?

4. Do you have trouble with emotional intimacy or relationships since your abortion? With physical intimacy?

5. Do you find yourself crying more easily, and more frequently than usual?

6. Has any drug or alcohol use occurred or become more frequent since the abortion? Have you engaged in self destructive behaviors or been in unhealthy relationships?

7. Are you troubled with dreams and/or nightmares about babies, dreams of a child in danger, or other upsetting dreams related to the abortion experience?

8. Do you sometimes feel guilty or remorseful about your abortion?

9. If you have children now, do you smother them with your love or overprotect them? Do you worry about them being hurt?
Or do you have problems with feeling distant from them, or being “unable to bond” with them?

10. If you do not have children, do you fear that you will never be able to have them? (either because of physical harm resulting
from the abortion or because “God” or “karma” will punish you for your abortion, and won't allow you to have a baby later in life?)
 
11. Have you had any suicidal thoughts or attempts?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you could be suffering from Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS).

If you have struggled with the emotional and spiritual pain that often follows abortion you can know that safe places to talk and experience mercy and healing are widely available. This page contains the phone numbers and contact information of local post-abortion support services. These services are open to women, and men, of all faiths whose lives have been affected by abortion. They are places where your confidentiality is protected and you can confront and let go feelings of guilt, sadness, shame, and anger. At these services you can work through the healing process of grieving over the loss of your child and find hope through God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. 

Phoenix Area Post-Abortion Support Services

Rachael’s Vineyard
24 Hour Help-line
1-877-HOPE4ME

Crisis Pregnancy Centers often offer post-abortion counseling.
Try:  Crisis Pregnancy Centers of Greater Phoenix and CPC's of Tucson as well as our list of state centers.

Tears Speak
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
(Service is open to women of all faiths)
Ask for Patty with “Tears Speak”
at: 480-838-7474

North Scottsdale PACE
(Post-Abortion Care & Encouragement)
480-344-7223

Silent No More
Support Group and Referrals
480-203-8654

Fatherhood Forever Foundation
 A Support Group for Men
Suffering from Abortion Experiences
Jason Baier
602-334-7651

*Source: The Alan Guttmacher Institute
** You can take the full post abortion stress survey online at http://afterabortion.com/