How Am I Supposed to Feel After an Abortion? Emotions, Support & What's Normal

There Is No Single "Right" Way to Feel After an Abortion

If you have recently had an abortion and are wondering how you are supposed to feel — the honest answer is that there is no single right answer. People experience a wide range of emotions after an abortion, and all of them are valid. Relief is common. So is sadness. So is feeling both at the same time, or feeling nothing in particular, or feeling fine one day and unexpectedly emotional the next.

What you feel after an abortion is deeply personal, and it is shaped by your circumstances, your relationships, your values, and your life. No two people's experiences are the same — and that is completely normal.

You Are Not Alone

Abortion is one of the most common medical procedures in the United States. Approximately one in four women will have an abortion by the age of 45. People of all ages, races, income levels, relationship statuses, and beliefs have abortions — including people who are already parents, people in committed relationships, and people with strong religious faith.

You almost certainly know someone who has had an abortion, even if they have never told you. The silence around abortion does not mean it is rare. It means people are private about it — which is their right.

Common Emotions After an Abortion

Relief is the most commonly reported emotion after an abortion, and it is completely valid. Feeling relieved does not mean you made the wrong decision or that you do not care. It means you made the right decision for your life.

Sadness or grief is also common, even when you know the abortion was the right choice. You can grieve a situation without regretting your decision. These feelings can coexist.

Mixed emotions are perhaps the most common of all. Many people feel more than one thing at a time — relief and sadness, confidence and uncertainty, calm and occasional moments of doubt. This complexity is normal and does not indicate a problem.

Guilt or shame sometimes arise, particularly in people who received negative messages about abortion from their family, community, or religion. If you are experiencing these feelings, talking with a counselor or a supportive person in your life can help.

No strong feelings is also completely normal. Many people feel fine after an abortion — physically and emotionally — and move forward with their lives without significant distress. This is not a sign that something is wrong with you.

What the Research Actually Shows

Decades of research on the emotional effects of abortion consistently show that the vast majority of people who have abortions do not experience lasting negative psychological effects. The most common long-term emotion reported is relief.

The American Psychological Association has concluded that having a safe, legal abortion does not cause mental health problems in women who were not already experiencing them. Factors that are more likely to affect emotional wellbeing after an abortion include the level of social support a person has, whether they felt pressured by others, and the presence of pre-existing mental health conditions — not the abortion itself.

If You Want to Talk to Someone

You do not have to process your feelings alone. Here are confidential resources available to you:

Exhale Pro-Voice Talk-Line: 1-617-749-2948 A free, confidential, non-judgmental after-abortion talk-line staffed by trained counselors. Available in English and Spanish.

All-Options Talk-Line: 1-888-493-0092 Free, confidential support for people with any feelings about abortion, pregnancy, adoption, or parenting. Non-judgmental and available to anyone.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, NAMI can connect you with support and resources.

Talk to your doctor. At Dr. Emily Women's Health Center, we are here for you after your procedure — not just during it. If you are struggling emotionally and want to talk or need a referral to a counselor or mental health provider, call us at 718-585-1010.

Taking Care of Yourself

Beyond emotional support, taking care of your physical health in the days and weeks after your abortion helps your overall wellbeing. Rest when you need to. Eat well. Stay connected with people who support you. Give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel without judgment.

If at any point you feel overwhelmed, persistently sad, or unable to function in your daily life, please reach out to a mental health professional. These feelings are not a sign of weakness — they are a sign that you deserve support.

We Are Here for You

At Dr. Emily Women's Health Center, we believe that compassionate care means caring about the whole person — not just the procedure. If you have questions about your recovery, your emotions, or what to expect after your abortion, please do not hesitate to call us.

718-585-1010 | 642 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY | One block from the 6 train