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by James E. Phelan

ver a million abortions are performed each year in the United States. Without much publicity however, abortion-on-demand leaves countless women traumatized by the experience; left to silently struggle with its spiritual, physical and psychological after-effects.

Clergy, medical, and mental health professionals are seeing women in immense pain and conflict following an abortion—a phenomenon referred to as Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS). In fact, this phenomenon is now considered by many scientists to mimic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This includes symptoms such as nightmares, physical and mental pain, guilt, depression, anxiety and other pathologies.

When a woman inquires about an abortion, she is often afraid, alone, indecisive, young and immature.

Women often report they were told that “abortion is a safe, minor procedure.” But evidence from their own testimonies, coupled with scientific data, shows that it is not always a safe procedure. Rather, abortion is a major surgical procedure which often accompanies complications.

Furthermore, research indicates that approximately 70 percent of women who have had an abortion have had some religious affiliation. Therefore, many women make the abortion choice against their religious conviction only to experience pain and regret afterward.

Many women make the abortion
choice against their religious
conviction only to experience
pain and regret afterward.

Some obsess about the death of their unborn baby. Others find it hard to stay in a relationship after having endured an abortion, and they end up in divorce or separation. Others try to cope with their pain by having another child. Studies have shown that a large percentage of women who abort do become pregnant again, in some cases, soon afterward. Conversely, in other cases, it becomes difficult to bear children, and some women become infertile as a result.

A woman who has had an abortion and then bears other children can become anxiously bonded and overprotective. Conversely, others may have an inability to bond. Some may go as far as to reject or abuse the child because he/she cannot substitute for the aborted child. Still others become neutral or numb to the new child. Sadly, many of these women discover that after giving birth to a live child, they still feel unhappy.

Reconciliation and healing

Every type of pregnancy loss needs healing. Clergy and other ecclesiastical workers can be properly trained to assist women with pregnancy loss and even to start local ministries to meet their needs.

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There is help available. For example, Victims of Choice (VOC)* a Christian non-denominational, non-profit organization offers The Facilitator Guidebook for Post-Abortion Recovery (a 10-step one-on-one guide). The guidebook was developed by Christian therapists. VOC makes training available to those who wish to help and offers a “Pastors Packet,” which provides resources specifically for clergy who want to help. In the context of healing there are ways to understand post-aborted women without judgment and to guide them in ways to help settle the pain and anguish about their experience and convictions. The process is not to take away the memories, but to effectively deal with them and to experience God’s healing.

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Here are some practical steps for helping women through recovery.

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Help her to express and process her loss. Allow her to cry and to verbalize her feelings. Women who have gone through abortion need a non-judgmental listener, someone who does not shun them for what they have done, but accepts and cares for them.
Take her through a mourning and grieving process. Mourning is a normal human response to loss and should not be repressed. Guiding a woman through this can be very beneficial. Supportive care through the grieving process helps brings closure and healing.
Offer helpful printed materials available from an array of organizations.
Communicate the unconditional love of God: \"Have mercy on me, 0 Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, 0 Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, 0 Lord, bounding in love to all who call to you” (Psalm 86:3-5, NIV).

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Most importantly ... help them to
experience God’s unconditional
forgiveness and acceptance so
they can go on with their lives.

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While Scripture is silent regarding aborted babies going to heaven or the nature of their being if they do, it is wise to point out to the mother that a loving and all-wise Father God will, in His perfect wisdom, do what is best.

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Encourage them to give their testimony by telling their story after they are well on the road to healing. You might also encourage them to consider establishing a Post-Abortion Recovery program. Helping others is an effective way to redeem our own struggles.

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If they were pressured into an abortion, help them to forgive those who encouraged the abortion—whether it was a family member, an abortion counselor, friend, partner, or physician.

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Most importantly and above all, help them to experience God’s unconditional forgiveness and acceptance so they can go on with their lives.

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God’s Word says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, NIV).

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* For Victims of Choice, Inc. contact Elizabeth Verchio, Victims Of Choice, Inc. PO Box 815, Naperville, IL 60566-0815. Phone: 888/267-3998 Cell: 630/712-1680 Cell

Web: www.victimsofchoice.org Email: Elizabeth@victimsofchoice.org

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James E. Phelan, is a licensed social worker in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Email: jpmphelan@msn.com

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