Beyond the Procedure: Addressing the Unmet Need for Emotional Healing and After-Care

This October 2022 whitepaper, authored by journalist Eileen Smith Dallabrida, details groundbreaking research commissioned by Support After Abortion. It highlights a significant disconnect between the growing prevalence of medication abortion and the availability of emotional and psychological support for those who experience it.

The Growing "Pill Abortion" Landscape

• Rapid Growth: Medication abortions (using mifepristone and misoprostol) accounted for 54% of all U.S. abortions in early 2022, a number projected to rise following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

  
  

• Self-Managed Care: Due to FDA changes allowing mail-order prescriptions via telehealth, more women are self-administering abortions at home, often in isolation and without professional medical or emotional oversight.

  
  

Key Research Findings Based on a scientific survey of women across America, the study uncovered a high demand for after-care that remains largely unmet:

• The Help Gap: 63% of women who had a medication abortion either sought help afterward or felt they could have benefited from talking to someone.

  
  

• Lack of Awareness: Only 18% of these women were aware of organizations that provide care after reproductive loss.

  
  

• Negative Outlook: 34% of respondents reported that their outlook on themselves or their decision changed negatively after the procedure, sometimes years later.

  
  

• The Trauma Factor: Many participants described the experience as far more physically and emotionally painful than they had anticipated.

  
  

A New Model for Healing The research indicates that the traditional models for abortion recovery may not align with what modern "consumer" patients want. The study found:

• A Shift Away from Religion: While most existing programs are faith-based, none of the survey respondents said they would seek help from a clergy person, and 73% reported they seldom to never attend religious services.

  
  

• Anonymity is Critical: The majority of women—particularly those who identify as pro-life—prioritize the ability to receive help anonymously.

  
  

• The Support After Abortion Goal: By using this data, Support After Abortion aims to establish a "gold standard" for accessible, compassionate, and evidence-based care that heals hearts and spirits without judgment.

Download the PDF

Study-Shows-Long-Term-Negative-Impact-of-Medication-Abortion (1).pdf

Download PDF • 3.97MB