 The Abortion Decision
Making the Choice
Welcome to Northland Family Planning Center
Yes, you will find us different. Not only do we provide the best medical care possible, we create an environment where women and men are treated with the compassion, dignity and respect you deserve.
Here, we make the world a better place for women.
If you are pregnant and are having a hard time making a decision, there are many helpful tools available to help you work through the decision-making process.
"Making a choice about your pregnancy can be a gift of learning and growth. It is an invitation for you to develop a larger vision of yourself. It's a way to practice compassion and loving kindness toward yourself."
from "Abortion: Finding Your Own Truth" by Corrintha Rebecca Bennett, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Northland's holistic care: Here, we treat mind, body and spirit.
Good women often have to make difficult decisions in life. This pregnancy decision may be difficult for you. It is a sign of strength, courage and responsibility to thoughtfully consider this decision. And, you may need support.
Northland is nationally recognized as one of the nation's pioneers in developing "Head and Heart Counseling." Patients who are unresolved about their decision can work together with one of our specially trained counselors and go through a series of questions and exercises to help make a clear choice about the pregnancy. We urge our patients to take time and make a decision that makes sense not only in her head, but in her heart as well.
Throughout this section and in many areas right here on our website, you will find helpful information, support and guidance. Even within this section, reading over the pages that speak to your parents, the man involved and friends can help you start conversations with important people in your life.
If your concerns are about physical or emotional pain, take a look at: Looking at Physical and Emotional Pain. You'll find that page really helps you sort through fears and concerns.
Abortion is normal. However, your personal experience of abortion is unique.
Did you know?
- Over 1/3 of American women will have an abortion by the age of 45.
- Women of all ages, races, economic backgrounds and religious beliefs have abortions.
- Over 1 million abortions occur in the United States each year.
- Abortion is safe, 10 times less risky than childbirth!
You can take comfort in knowing your feelings about abortion are shared by millions of women. But, because your decision to choose abortion may be complex, feelings about it may also be complex. These feelings are affected by many factors, including religion, culture, relationships, age and current life situations. One of the most important factors to remember is that each pregnancy stands alone - the particular circumstances of this particular pregnancy are different from any other pregnancy.
The same woman who chooses abortion at one time in her life may choose, or already has chosen, parenthood at another time.
How can I start?
Write a letter to yourself.
If there are people who oppose your decision or if you are worried about regretting it later, take some time now to write about why you would make the choice of abortion and how you feel about ending this pregnancy. Save this to read at a later date if you need to.
What if I can't forget and move on?
You may wonder if you will always remember this decision. Yes, we hope you will.
You may wonder if there is a way to give this experience meaning. Yes.
Honoring your experience is a way to integrate this experience into your life, not push it down or try to forget. You may want to create your own way to acknowledge your loss or changes. It may be as simple as releasing a symbolic object into the water, planting a tree or writing a poem. It would be a way for you to memorialize the day and move forward.
"Pregnant? Need Help? Pregnancy Options Workbook"
This great and easy to read booklet was developed by Margaret Johnston, Director, Southern Tier Women's Services in Binghamton, NY. Here, you will get help seeing the realistic picture of all your choices–abortion, adoption and parenthood. Included are exercises and rituals which help the decision-making process. This workbook is available, free of charge, at Northland Family Planning Centers or go to Pregnancy Options Workbook .
Women who are willing to explore how they feel and what they think can come to a peaceful resolution about their pregnancy. To get there, you must be willing to work at it. The exercises offered by the counselors at Northland Family Centers or in the workbook, mean you must do some soul searching and do some "homework." It may be the most important assignment you ever do.
Listen to your heart and your own voice to find the right answer.
Need help to talk with your parents?
If you are worried about telling your parent(s), this new site has great ideas for both you and your parent or guardian: Mom, Dad, I'm Pregnant....
If you are having a hard time
If you are having a hard time, you will probably need to spend some more time identifying and sorting out your feelings about this experience. When pregnancy occurs, you may feel as if your entire past, present and future are up for examination. So, feelings about abortion may also have a great deal to do with other issues in your life that have not been addressed.
Whatever you are feeling, all the issues you are dealing with before your abortion will likely continue afterwards. If you are having problems in a relationship or with a family member, working to heal that, perhaps with the help of a counselor or trusted advisor, will be helpful. Imagine Counseling links you to a series of useful worksheets and connects you to experienced counselors who have worked with abortion patients across the country. There is no charge for your first call.
You deserve to feel peace.
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Last page update: 9/07 |
