Supporting someone who considers an abortion

Whether it’s a partner, family member or friend, you can always be there to listen, support and offer peace of mind.

The final decision to stop or continue with pregnancy rests only with the same pregnant person. But many pregnant people receive support through experience by having someone close to them to talk and share thoughts and feelings.

You can also offer practical support, such as going to appointments with them, reviewing abortion information together, reminding them of questions they may want to ask, and supporting them with subsequent care.

How to talk to someone who is sharing their abortion experience with you

In Spain, one in three women will have an abortion before the age of 45, and many of us will meet someone who has had an abortion or actively supported a loved one through their decision.

Open and honest conversations about abortion help women and adolescents feel informed, educated and supported when it comes to making their own decisions about their own bodies and the wall of silence around abortion is making women and girls more harmed than benefiting.

Five top tips

• Create space and don’t judge: Sharing the abortion experience can be stressful. If there’s someone in your life who feels comfortable enough to talk to you about their experience, let them share their thoughts and feelings freely.
• Open and honest conversations: Open and honest conversations about abortion help women and girls feel informed, educated and supported when it comes to making their own decisions about their own bodies. Let your friend or family member share their hopes, fears, or concerns with you.
• Try not to offer unsolicited advice: Abortion is a very individual experience. Some people feel good, while others may feel confusion or sadness. Don’t try to tell the person who shares your experience what to think, do, feel, or how to act. It’s hard to understand what they’re going through and what works for one person might not work for someone else.
• Offer to attend the appointment with her: Some people may prefer to attend appointments alone, but offering to go with your friend or relative shows that you support your choices and let them know they are not alone, even if they refuse.
• Respect your privacy: Abortion is not something to be ashamed of, but it’s important to respect people’s privacy and keep the information they’ve told you. It’s up to them when, how and if they choose to talk about their experience.

Attend an appointment with someone

We invite you to accompany your loved one to her abortion appointment, if you want to be there with her.

You’ll need to wait in the waiting room during your appointment, medical evaluation, treatment and recovery, but you can be sure that our experienced nurses will be with her at all times to offer them care and support.

We offer two different types of abortion: pharmacological and surgical. The type your partner, relative or friend has will depend on your gestation (how many weeks of pregnancy you have), medical history, and personal choice.

Some people experience different emotions afterwards, such as relief or sadness. As someone close to you, you can talk to your loved one about how he or she feels and offer emotional support.

Looking for more information about our abortion services?

Here you will find answers to the questions people ask most frequently. If you can’t find the information you need, call us at (+34) 934 529 930