The updated version of this page is at PostAbortion.php.
Post-Abortion Syndrome
Women who have had abortions in the past often regret their
abortions. There are often physical, mental, spiritual and social
complications following abortion.
Rachel's Vineyard is a
weekend retreat program for women who are suffering the
emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. Click here for more information on Rachel's Vineyard Retreats.
Women who want information can call 877-HOPE-4-ME or
visit www.rachelsvineyard.org
Women in the Scranton area can call the Diocese of Scranton at
207-2213 for information about their upcoming Rachel's Vineyard
Retreats.
Vera Faith Lord presented a workshop Post-Abortion Syndrome
at the 2003 Pa. Pro-Life State Convention held Sept. 27 in
Scranton. Here are excerpts from her talk:
Ms. Lord observed, “All our children hear in the public schools and in the media is
“It’s your body and your right to choose.”
No one tells them what will happen
after that choice is made and the baby is dead. I was 34 years old when I killed
my son. He would be 21 today. I was 21 weeks pregnant and I felt movement.” “I
had an abusive husband...I was abusing cocaine and meth-amphetamines. I was
a poster child for the abortion industry.” “I heard it from my doctor, my friends and
even a pastor; “You don’t want to bring an addicted child into the world into an
abusive marriage.”
“After the abortion, maternal instinct stirs up. Every cell in your body knows you
have killed your own offspring- it is the worst feeling imaginable. We spend the rest
of our time running away from it. We have a dead child. If a woman has a baby
who dies of SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome, she has the support of the
community, family and friends and a funeral where she can grieve. In abortion
society says, “Baby? What baby?” You must grieve and mourn that death alone."
"Symptoms of post-abortion syndrome can include, “migraines, eating
disorders, and inability to bond with people. Compulsive perfectionism, and
other compulsive behaviors. Post- abortion syndrome affects every
relationship a woman has including her spouse, other children, family and
friends.”
“There is a way out. The first step is being forgiven by God." Thirteen years after
her abortion, Ms. Lord says she was snapped out of denial. Doing some research
she found nine books and 21 national organizations to help women heal after their
abortions. “Although many have been around for over a decade, the average person
can’t name one of them...A big part of a mother’s soul dies with her baby. Many
women take it to their graves and never connect the dots. Women in their eighties
and nineties come up to me carrying their grief for sixty years. Being forgiven by
God is only the first step, the more difficult is trying to forgive ourselves.”
Ms. Lord recommended two books, one written for post-abortive women, Her
Choice to Heal by Sylvia Massey and Jan Phillips. For Priests and Counselors she
recommends Father Mike Mannion’s Abortion and Healing a Cry to be Whole. It is
available at The Pro-Life Information Center by calling 570-343-5099.
Vera Faith Lord has two speaking ministries; Alpha Omega Life which is an
outreach to all Orthodox Christians and Vera Faith Lord International Life
Outreach. She travels throughout the U.S. to share her story and expose the truth
about abortion and post-abortion syndrome.
"Silent No More" Campaign Participants, Actress Jennifer O'Neill Regret Abortions
The "Silent No More" campaign took its message to Washington D.C. and state capitols across the
nation this January 22nd. Brave women across the nation came to give testimony, pray and say,
"I regret my abortion." Actress Jennifer O'Neill, best known for her role in the movie, The
Summer of '42, was the keynote speaker at a gathering before the U.S. Supreme Court in
Washington D.C. With great dignity and sadness she recounted the nine miscarriages which
followed her abortion. Other women spoke of nightmares, suicidal tendencies, their inability to
bear children, damaged relationships and even breast cancer.
Georgette Forney co-founder of the "Silent No More" campaign, said "I was inspired by God after
struggling with the pain and agony of my abortion. I regret my abortion and I know others feel
the same way." Olivia Gans, director of American Victims of Abortion, reminded participants, "we
are mothers and fathers with empty arms. We have not been silent these past years, and we will
not be silenced now. Our pain is real. There is much to be learned from our experiences that
will protect and benefit women in the future. It can no longer be assumed that abortion is good
for women."