Alpha Center provides a safe and confidential setting for women to discuss their emotions following an abortion.

Many women experience an immediate feeling of relief following an abortion, some struggle with their decision right away. As times passes many find themselves trying to cope with feelings they did not expect. It is common for women to have difficulty talking about these feelings and many feel isolated and alone. Some psychologists have labeled these problems as Post Abortion Stress.

Below are some of the symptoms
of Post Abortion Stress Syndrome.

These symptoms can affect women as well as men involved in an abortion decision.


  • Sadness
  • Long-term grief reactions
  • Anger
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Guilt
  • Flashbacks
  • Memory repression
  • Hallucinations
  • Suicidal ideas
  • Increased alcohol and drug use
  • Difficulty keeping close relationships
  • Depression
  • Despair
  • Regret
  • Hopelessness

Post abortion support groups are led by trained facilitators. They facilitate a Bible Study entitled Forgiven and Set Free. Women who participate in this study discover they are not alone and find a place where there is hope and healing.


One Woman’s Story:

I was raised in a church-going family and by the time I graduated from college, I had dated the same guy for 7 years. In 1985, when I was 22 years old, I found out I was pregnant. My boyfriend did not want to get married; I felt alone and desperate, yet determined to make this “problem” go away.

I made the decision to have an abortion…and yes, it DID make my immediate “problem” go away… but little did I know, I would live out the emotional consequences for years later.

About a year after my abortion, I made a commitment to follow Christ and I married a wonderful, godly man. With the exception of my husband, no one knew about my abortion; it became the big secret in my life.

My self-condemning thoughts grew and grew, especially when I was alone. I struggled with a lot of guilt. Shame and depression were my constant companions. I would suppress these feelings constantly so that it would look like I had it all together.

I knew what Christians thought about abortion and sometimes it would be hard for me to go to church. I would tell myself, “they would never love me or accept me if they knew what I had done.”

I thought that abortion was the unforgivable sin. Even though I had scriptures explained to me over and over again, I could not understand how what I had done could ever be made right with God.

One morning I found a piece of paper that my husband had taped onto our bathroom mirror. It was information about a bible study called PACE which stands for Post Abortion Counseling Education. My husband had written beside it the words, “Please go”. Well, I did NOT want to go because I didn’t want to bring this issue to the surface and talk about it! I was trying so hard to make it all go away! But it wouldn’t go away, and I did call…

For the next 11 weeks, I was in a safe and confidential small group with other women who were dealing with their past abortions. My walls of denial came down and I was amazed to find how deeply I was affected by my abortion so long ago. Using God’s Word, we explored issues such as depression, anger and forgiveness, including forgiving myself. I was even able to look directly at the truth of my abortion…that a baby died…my baby. For the first time, I was able to grieve not just for my sin, but for my child.

I was comforted by Jesus Himself. The more I learned about Him, the more I fell in love with Him. He hung out with the sinners and He even died for them. I had to ask myself… What more could Jesus have done for me? He gave His life for me. Now, was I going to live for Him? Or… was I going to remain in this prison that the Enemy had so craftily designed?

I finally understood that the debt I owed for my choice was paid in full on the cross by God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. He paid a dear price to set me free so that I can live a life that honors Him.

For the last 12 years, God has called me to be a PACE bible study leader. He has allowed me to watch Him work miracles in the lives of hundreds of women as they go through this study. It is truly life-transforming.

Statistics report that between 33 and 43% of women in our country have had abortions. We must remember that behind every number there is a baby to grieve for and also a woman who is hurting. She is hurting because God created her to protect the fruit of her womb, and not to kill it. Abortion can affect her marriage, her parenting and many other areas in her life.

When helping others to understand why any woman would chose to intentionally terminate the life in her womb, I am reminded of this quote from Frederica-Matthews Green: “No woman wants an abortion as she wants an ice cream cone or a Porshe. She wants an abortion as an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.”

The church must be a lighthouse for women who are guilt-ridden from an abortion decision in their past. We are called to bind up the broken-hearted and to set the captives free.

Linda Beard



For more information on Post Abortion Stress visit AbortionChangesYou.com

Men and Abortion:

Men are hidden partners in every abortion decision. For many men who may have been involved in making an abortion decision the idea of speaking out about their feelings can be quite intimidating. Once an abortion has taken place males may require as much emotional support as females. Alpha Center does not currently have a support program for men, but we can help connect you to regional resources. You can also resource the following websites for more information and resources.


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