Healing the Shockwaves of Abortion

Recovery after Abortion by Dr Martha Shuping, MD

Dr Martha Shuping is a world renowned psychiatrist with over thirty years experience in helping women and men with abortion recovery issues. In addition to the years of extensive experience in her clinical practice, Dr. Shuping has facilitated more than 50 Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats. Dr Shuping developed this overview of the research related to abortion trauma and suffering. She cites research on the relationship of abortion trauma to issues of attachment from a physiological and emotional perspective and helps us understand why this is a key factor in recovery - and why programs like Rachel's Vineyard, and other group recovery models, have proven so effective over time. - Kevin Burke, LSW

Women and Abortion: Getting to the Heart of the Matter

As the Supreme Court prepared to hear arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, hundreds of post-abortive women shared their stories in amicus briefs. Pro-abortion activists are now recognizing what abortion healing ministries have known for decades: women and men who were part of abortion decisions and procedures benefit from telling their stories.

Misdiagnosing post-abortion trauma

Post-abortive women suffering from sleep or eating disorders, substance abuse or a whole host of other problems might seek help and find themselves with a prescription for an anti-depressant. But psychiatrist Dr. Philip G. Ney, who specializes in trauma following abortion, says the pills only mask the problem. The first step on the road to healing is finding out what’s going on underneath.


Post Traumatic Stress In 2nd and 3rd Trimester Abortions

The primary aim of this study was to compare the experience of an early abortion (1st trimester) to a late abortion (2nd and 3rd trimester) relative to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms after controlling for socio-demographic and personal history variables. Online surveys were completed by 374 women who experienced either a 1st trimester abortion (up to 12 weeks gestation) or a 2nd or 3rd trimester abortion (13 weeks gestation or beyond)...MORE

Elective Abortion and Women’s Mental Health

The growing body of literature concerning induced abortion includes numerous studies which report significant associations between elective abortion and women’s mental health…there is now substantial evidence that elective abortion is associated with general psychological distress as well as with specific mental health disorders...MORE