You can be kind to yourself after an abortion. Clients can have a big range of feelings about their experience. What can you do to take care of yourself?

Physical pain might make it harder to deal with emotions, so you may want to:

• treat your pain

• rest and relax when you can

• try not push yourself too hard

It can take a few weeks for your body to clear the pregnancy hormone out of your system after an abortion; this is also true after miscarriage or delivery. The pregnancy hormone might be partly responsible if you feel moody or depressed or have other strong feelings. If these feelings haven’t gotten better in a few weeks you may want to talk to someone you trust. Some good people might be:

• Choice in Health Clinic therapist

• professional non-judgemental support such as a doctor, counsellor, therapist

• Talk and textlines for post-abortion

Look out for yourself, and take care of yourself. Be honest with yourself if you have crossed your own limits. These are some things you may want to watch for:

• a change in your alcohol or drug use

• isolating yourself

• harming or punishing yourself

• spending too much money

Make time to do what makes you feel good. You might want to:

• treat yourself to a movie

• listen to your favourite music

• be with your loved ones

• meditate or pray

• have sex (when you feel ready)

• write in a journal