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 Welcome 
Hurting after an abortion?
In a health, counselling or pastoral role with people who may have had an abortion?
Want to know more about the possible effects of an abortion?
Welcome to the P.A.T.H.S. information site.
See the Blog for latest news!
Abortion is a particular and complex type of pregnancy loss, an unnatural and generally unacknowledged life-death event. When a
woman has an abortion the new life being created inside her physically, to whom she is
attached at some level emotionally, psychologically and spiritually has
been taken from her.
Some
women are distressed soon after their abortions. Others appear
unaffected. Often grief may be suppressed and the trauma may sink into
the unconscious and not surface for months or years later.
Many women feel
isolated and alone with their pain and anguish. It can help to talk it
through with someone uninvolved, who has special skills in caring and
listening, and a knowledge of abortion-specific effects and issues.
Fathers grieve too, and family and friends can also be affected and may need help to work through issues.
17,550 abortions were performed in New Zealand for the year 2009,
down from 17,940 in 2008 and up from 5,945 in 1980. Women 20-24 years
had the highest abortion rate (36 abortion per 1,000 women aged 20-24
years). 63% were a woman's first abortion, the remainder being repeat
abortions (i.e. women who have had one or more previous abortions). In
the light of these stats we are facing a huge, but as yet largely
hidden, problem. Most people will at some time either have a personal experience of abortion or know someone who has.
Health professionals, counsellors and pastors also need to
know what signs and symptoms of abortion loss and trauma may be, and
take care to respond appropriately and sensitively.
Note events below that may be of interest. Also if you would like, take a moment to peruse our latest newsletter online.
We hope you find the site helpful.
UPCOMING EVENTS of INTEREST
P.A.T.H.S. Legal disclaimer
Information on this site is provided for
interest only and is not a substitute for professional counselling or
medical care. Views are expressed in good faith and P.A.T.H.S. is not
liable for accuracy, errors or omissions. P.A.T.H.S. takes no
responsibility for any consequences / impact relating directly or
indirectly to any information or action by any person using this site.
P.A.T.H.S. reserves the right to determine what is included on this site and will not enter into debate.
P.A.T.H.S. offers links to a
variety of other sites which are not under the control of P.A.T.H.S.
and accessing linked sites is at user discretion and own risk. It is as
convenience, for interest purposes, that such links are offered and
P.A.T.H.S. accepts no responsibility nor necessarily endorses the
content of linked sites.
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