For Partners, Parents & Friends

If someone you love is making a pregnancy decision or has had an abortion, you may be wondering what to do and how to help her. You may be experiencing some strong feelings of your own, about the abortion or about seeing her go through this experience.

Women can have a wide range of feelings after an abortion, and so can the people close to them. Usually there will be a feeling of relief, but mixed with this can also be sadness, loss, anger, or guilt. These feelings are usually manageable.

You partner, daughter, or friend could probably use someone to listen and give her support. In How to Help Her, we offer suggestions for how to do this, even if you are feeling conflicted about the situation.

At the same time, it is important to give yourself permission to have your own feelings and to find space, perhaps apart from her, to deal with them. In Your Own Experience, we offer some resources for helping you, too.