It is okay to feel… Ask for support and help
Door: Simona Nikolaeva, Esmee Rosielle, Picabo Rimac & Lucca-Sophia Kraus ENG
12 jul 2022 | 5 minuut leestijd
It is okay to ask for support before, during, and after your abortion. You do not have to go through it alone. It might be scary to open up to someone and express your feelings, but the right people will listen, encourage, and support you. It is okay to let someone in, you do not have to carry the burden by yourself.
If you want to talk to someone with expertise, you can always contact your general practitioner, gynaecologist, doctor, or abortion provider. Even though it might seem scary to do that, remember you are not the first, nor the last, to go through this process. The professionals are there to help us when help is needed. If you want to talk to someone who went through the same or similar experience, there are support groups. You can always stay anonymous if you do not wish to share your identity. Examples of support groups are:
- The Humanistisch Verbond is organising discussion groups guided by professionals for people who had an abortion (in Dutch)
- FIOM is organizing discussion groups guided by professionals for people who had an abortion (in Dutch)
- Private Facebook groups with people who had an abortion (e.g., Abortus community, Abortus nazorg community, etc.) (in Dutch)
- Abortion buddy an initiative that provides you with a volunteer that supports you at the abortion clinic (in Dutch)
“My boyfriend and I were talking about it earlier this week. How restrictive the taboo around abortion is, and how we contribute to it ourselves by discussing it with few people around us. Afraid of condemnation, but also of losing friends.”
Cyanne
“If something bothers you, try to talk it over with someone you trust, because their reaction might surprise you. And together you are even stronger than alone.”
Ayana
The woman with the abortion in this story (Whenna) reflects on all the mixed emotions she felt during the procedure in South Africa. She also shares her difficulties of expression and being vulnerable. TW: Abortion, Emotional Pain, Clinic & Doctors Depiction, Discrimination
Artist: Becca Rea-Holloway, @thesweetfeminist
Steun ons. Wij kunnen niet zonder jouw donatie.
Bij Ava vind je betrouwbare informatie over abortus en anticonceptie. We luisteren naar hoe jij je voelt over een abortus. We zorgen dat beleidsmakers ook luisteren naar jouw wensen. En we spreken ons uit. Over keuzevrijheid en meer begrip voor vrouwen die een zwangerschap afbreken.
Ava informeert
Ava luistert
Ava spreekt
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Steun ons. Wij kunnen niet zonder jouw donatie.
Bij Ava vind je betrouwbare informatie over abortus en anticonceptie. We luisteren naar hoe jij je voelt over een abortus. We zorgen dat beleidsmakers ook luisteren naar jouw wensen. En we spreken ons uit. Over keuzevrijheid en meer begrip voor vrouwen die een zwangerschap afbreken.
Ava informeert
Ava luistert
Ava spreekt
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