Pregnancy loss and self care
This upcoming weekend is International Self Care day and we want to talk about pregnancy loss, taking care of yourself after an abortion and the supports we provide at Choice in Health.
First, a note about the use of the term “pregnancy loss.” In a medical context it describes a scenario where a health professional has identified that a pregnancy has stopped developing unexpectedly. This language appropriately honours the way that a pregnant person may be feeling when they have learned that their pregnancy will not continue to term. However, a similar sense of loss may be experienced by anyone who has sought out abortion care. We know that our clients are the experts in what they need both when it comes to their procedures and their recovery, and we validate the self-care rituals that may be an important part of processing such feelings.
Pregnancy loss, also commonly known as a miscarriage, happens in roughly 15 to 25 percent of pregnancies, often occurring within the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. Although miscarriages are becoming more openly discussed, they can still carry stigma for a lot of people who become pregnant.
When a pregnancy has stopped growing, different factors such as how far along the pregnancy was, medical history, and personal preference can determine whether someone will have an unassisted miscarriage (the uterus releases fetal tissues on its own) or a medical intervention. One option is a procedure commonly known as D&C (dilation and aspiration -- does not typically involve “curettage” in current practice), where the cervix is dilated and suction is used to gently remove the remaining tissue from the uterus. In 2021 Choice in Health launched our Early Pregnancy Loss program to increase access to surgical care like D&C’s, helping to reduce the strain on hospitals and minimize wait times for clients seeking procedural options. We offer surgical care for pregnancy loss within the first trimester (under 13 weeks) and we created this program to ensure care is available in a safe, timely, accessible manner that is sensitive to the range of emotional experiences that surround pregnancy loss.
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Taking care of yourself after an abortion or pregnancy loss can look very different for each individual. Free counselling services are available at Choice in Health to help you decide if an abortion is the right choice for you, and to talk through your feelings after an abortion, in a non-judgemental space – regardless of where or when you had your procedure. Our take-home materials for clients include self care suggestions and additional counselling resources outside our clinic.
We also give clients the option to take home their pregnancy remains (medically referred to as products of conception) after a surgical procedure. Individuals may wish to perform a ceremony or ritual at home for emotional catharsis and closure. We provide them with a discrete, safe container to transport the remains and information on storage, handling, and burial. Clients can coordinate with a funeral home if they wish to have a formal burial service or cremation, and a resource for abortion friendly after-care services can be found here.
People can experience a vast spectrum of emotions after an abortion, and however you feel is completely valid. Whether someone is experiencing pregnancy loss or is choosing to have an abortion for any reason, we honour each person’s self-care journey and offer services to support the process.