After an abortion, couples may experience grief, relief, guilt, or anxiety. Acknowledging these feelings and creating space to communicate openly can support healing.
As common as it is, abortion is still a significant experience for both parties involved – the person having it and their partner. It’s a time when understanding each other becomes more crucial than ever. However, often, couples are not equipped to navigate their relationship after an abortion. How do you deal with the different emotions? How do you communicate your needs? What are your aspirations?
In this blog, we share tips on how to navigate your relationship smoothly and with love and empathy.
How Do Couples Deal with Emotions After an Abortion?
Common emotions after an abortion:
- grief – sadness about a potential future;
- relief – feeling the decision was right;
- guilt – influence of personal or societal beliefs;
- confusion – processing mixed emotions; and
- anxiety – uncertainty about the relationship’s future.
Acknowledge these feelings without judgment and know there is no “right” way to feel. Both partners need to create a safe space to share emotions without fear.
Couples can also integrate everyday rituals into their lives to enhance emotional intimacy and strengthen their bonds. This could include spending quality time together, expressing appreciation for each other, and doing mundane activities, like having a morning coffee routine, which help foster a deeper connection.
How to Communicate with Your Partner After an Abortion
Honest and compassionate communication is essential after an abortion. To initiate these conversations, here are some simple tips:
- Find a private setting. Avoid bringing up abortion during moments of stress as it can evoke strong emotions.
- Express your feelings using “I” statements. For example, say, “I feel sad when I think about my abortion.”
- Allow your partner to share at their own pace. They might feel different at different times, depending on triggers, such as a stigmatizing conversation.
- Listen actively without interrupting.
- Check in regularly.
- Ask for clarification, gently. Abortion discussions can entail stigmatizing vocabulary and deeply entrenched myths. It is better to clarify than assume.
Why Is Personal Space Important After an Abortion?
Each partner may experience a range of emotions at a different pace. Respecting each other’s space means allowing time for personal reflection without pressure to conform to a specific timeline or emotional state.
In the long run, it enhances the overall resilience of the relationship.
How Can Couples Strengthen Their Relationship After an Abortion?
Experiences like these are also a good time to revisit the core values and strengths of your relationship. Revisiting these principles reminds you what your relationship is built on. Recognizing qualities like resilience, supportiveness, and teamwork boosts your confidence in your partnership.
Take this exercise one step further and discuss your aspirations as a couple. Setting shared goals creates a sense of purpose and direction.
How to Discuss Family Planning After an Abortion
- Express your expectations for the future regarding pregnancy, whether you want to adopt, or whether you want to remain child-free.
- Agree on a contraception method. It should be a shared conversation in every relationship.
- Research the options available.
- Keep the conversation open and honest.
Should You Seek Therapy After an Abortion?
When navigating tough moments, it is always useful to recruit professional help. Counseling can be incredibly beneficial post-abortion as it offers a structured environment to process complex emotions. Therapists can provide coping strategies, facilitate open communication, and offer unbiased support.
FAQs
Q: How can an abortion affect a relationship?
A: Abortion can bring emotional changes, stress, or relief to a relationship. Open communication and support can help strengthen the bond between partners.
Q: How do you support your partner after an abortion?
A: Support your partner by listening, offering emotional space, and reassuring them. Checking in on their physical and mental well-being is also important.
Q: Should couples seek therapy after an abortion?
A: Therapy can help couples process emotions, improve communication, and rebuild trust after an abortion. Seeking professional support is always a healthy option.
Help and Support
If you need more information, get in touch with us at info@safe2choose.org.
We at safe2choose are part of a global movement advocating for reproductive health and access to safe abortion for everyone. We operate as an online counseling and informational platform, providing support to those seeking medical or surgical abortions. When needed, we also refer people to trusted, trained, and pro-choice health-care providers.