TBH (To Be Honest) is a monthly newsletter dedicated to learning about our bodies, talking about sex and relationships, and challenging health inequity and injustice. Send us your feedback. 👍 👎 |
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Maternity Care Deserts + Reproductive Health Care in Latinx Communities
+ Supporting Someone Having an Abortion |
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Boise Capitol, Shutterstock |
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"I wanted to work in a small family town and deliver babies," she said. "I was living my dream — until all of this." |
Wary of making essential medical decisions to protect patients out of fear of criminal prosecution, ob-gyns are leaving states with extreme abortion bans and restrictions at high rates. Read this article from the New York Times on what these new "maternity care deserts" mean for patients across the country.
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What we're watching, reading, listening to, and taking action on: |
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"How can I support someone who's having an abortion?" |
Someone asked us: My older sister is planning on getting an abortion, do you have any advice on how I can offer her comfort? It was an accidental pregnancy, and she's having feelings of guilt over it. I wish I could send you a blue ribbon that reads "outstanding sibling." Everyone deserves this kind of support when they're going through a hard time.
It's great that your sister trusts you enough to tell you she's having an abortion, how she got pregnant, and how she feels about it. Let her know she can keep coming to you if she wants to talk about it. Knowing someone cares and that they'll be there no matter what can be the most comforting thing of all. Here are 10 other ways to support someone who's having an abortion.
- Listen to them.
- Remind them that you support and love them no matter what decision they make.
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Help them get accurate information about abortion. The Planned Parenthood website and the staff at Planned Parenthood health centers are two sources of reliable information. They can also talk with a live health educator at our free and confidential Chat/Text line.
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Offer to be there with them on the day of their appointment if they want. If they're having a medication abortion at home, you can offer to stay with them or be nearby during the process for support and help if they need it.
- Offer other practical help — like driving them home, having pads and pain medicine on hand, getting them food, preparing a comfy place for them to rest, or watching their kids.
- Offer hugs.
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Remind them that there's no right or wrong way to feel about abortion. It's OK to feel some guilt. It's OK to feel some relief. It's OK not to feel much at all. It's totally normal to feel all these things at once, or at different times. Everyone's experience is different, and all feelings are valid.
- Give them space if they need it.
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Don't share their abortion story unless they ask you to. Even though abortion is nothing to be ashamed of, it's up to them to decide who they tell and when.
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If they're having a really hard time or just need more support, offer to help them find a professional they can talk with. The staff at their nearest Planned Parenthood health center may be able to connect them with local resources. Exhale, All-Options, and Abortions Welcome are other great places to get information and support.
Your sister's going to be OK. And the comfort you're providing her is a great reminder of that.
*Note: Planned Parenthood is not responsible for nor does it endorse any legal, medical, or other advice or information provided by any of the entities identified or referenced herein or by any other third parties, whether referenced herein or not.
Check out Ask The Experts for more Q&As on a ton of different health topics. Got a question in mind? Ask Roo, our expert chatbot. |
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