After Abortion Help

We have heard from callers from 49 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and most recently Germany! Women & men are calling, talking with caring individuals who have also experienced the pain of abortion, but have found HOPE & HEALING. We offer local resources and confidential help 24/7. If you wish, we can mail you a packet of resources and keep in touch. If you are hurting after abortion there is help.

Denise, pictured above, along with eight other women and one man gave testimony of the negative effects of abortion at the state capitol in Little Rock. Denise is a helpline volunteer who wants to comfort others with the comfort she has found in the forgiveness, love and grace of Jesus Christ.

How do you know you need
post-abortion healing?
You may be thinking, "Okay, so I had an abortion. But that is in the past. Do I really need to be healed?" Some women may never need to work through any kind of healing process. But for many of us, the memory of abortion lies hidden in shame, weakening and impairing us in ways we may have never realized were related. Is that true for you? See if you recognize yourself in some of the following questions:

Do you feel reluctant to talk about the subject of abortion, or do you feel guilt, anger, or sorrow when discussing your own abortion?
Do you tend to think of your life in terms of "before" and "after" the abortion?
Do you have lingering feelings of resentment or anger toward people involved in your abortion, such as the baby's father, friends, or your parents?
Have you found yourself either avoiding relationships or becoming overly dependent in them since the abortion? Are you overly protective of any children you have now?
Have you begun or increased use of drugs or alcohol since the abortion, or do you have an eating disorder?
Have you felt a vague sort of emptiness, a deep sense of loss, or had prolonged periods of depression?
Do you sometimes have nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations relating to the abortion?

If so, it is likely you are experiencing pain related to your abortion, many times referred to as "post-abortion trauma."

Please read the testimonies of many women and men below. You are not alone. There is help and hope.

Please call our National Helpline 1-866-482-LIFE
and talk with someone who will help you.

Women and Men Speak Out on the Negative Effects of Abortion at the State Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas

My name is Kandi Cox, from Cabot, AR. I was 19 years old when I was faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

As I thought through what was happening in my life I felt scared and alone. At that time in my life I did not feel I had anyone to turn to that I could count on to guide and help me. The father of the baby made it very clear that he did not want this child and I felt so trapped. I could see no other choice but to terminate my pregnancy.

I called an abortion clinic and spoke with them about my situation and they told me that I needed to come in and confirm that I was even pregnant. I went to the abortion clinic in Memphis, TN where they confirmed my pregnancy. Next I was led to a “Counseling Room” where I was told that it was only a “blob” of tissue and it was not yet a baby. Then the counselor looked at me and said “whose choice is this?” Being that I was all alone at this point I simply said “mine?” Although I felt pressure from the father and my situation, I felt silly responding any other way.

Soon afterward I was led upstairs to the room where my abortion was to take place. They gave me gas and told me to relax. The doctor examined me, looked at the nurse and stated how far along I was. At that point I knew I could go no further. Then a heard a noise that sent chills down my whole body and immediately felt sick at my stomach, I cried out and told them that I could not go through with this. I BEGGED FOR THEM TO STOP! The nurse told me that it was too late and ran to the door and yelled for help because I was fighting her and the doctor, next thing I knew I had three nurses holding me down. All I can remember at that point was moving my head back and forth trying so hard to get loose.

When the procedure was over I was taken to a room filled with beds and women sobbing. I felt so empty and violated. No one ever told me of the anxiety, depression, guilt, or emotional scars that I would bear, nor did they warn me of the miscarriages that I would have due to the damage in my uterus.

I praise God for His healing, glorious grace, but I share my story because I don’t want anyone else to suffer the way I have. God has blessed my husband Chris and me with two beautiful little girls that we love dearly, but we regret that on this side of Glory they will never know Amanda Abigail. ABORTION HURTS WOMEN!

Melissa’s Testimony

Although my abortion was over 17 years ago, every day I live with the consequence of this choice. At age 18 in an abusive relationship, I found myself pregnant. Arriving at the clinic, I was told it was a simple procedure and it appeared to be my way out of my crisis. I walked in the clinic scared, confused, unsure of what else to do, but I walked
out that day, empty and broken inside.

For fifteen years I struggled with depression, self-hatred, and anger before I found healing. Looking back, I wish someone would have told me their story and would have shared their pain of having made this choice. I believe it would have made a difference for me. I have found healing and restoration for my life, and now teach post-abortive classes, for those who are suffering from the effects of abortion. My greatest desire is to warn those who are young, not to fall into the same pitfalls I did. There's not a day that goes by, that I don't think about my children whom I have never seen. Make better decisions for your life. It is my hope that your choice never finds you in a crisis pregnancy, however, if they do, choose life; this is an option you will never regret. Childs name: Elijah Jordan

Amy’s Testimony

My name is Amy Burns and in August of 1991, without any pressure from anyone except for the circumstances of my situation, I chose to have an abortion. I was divorced and already had two young children and felt that I did not want nor could I have another baby. Now, more than 13 years later, I regret that choice.

I had several difficulties following the procedure, which put my life in danger, not to mention the depression that followed later. I have since found healing and peace only through the grace and forgiveness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want women to know that they, too, can find this same peace.

My baby would have been born in February of 1992 had I chosen to give it life. I believed I was making the best decision at the time, but now I know my “right to choose” was a lie. I chose a life of wondering whether my baby was a boy or a girl, what would it have looked like and been like, and many more questions I will never know the answer to. I also have the vivid memory of the abortion procedure and the guilt of knowing I never gave my baby a chance at life – the opportunity of fulfilling the plans God had especially for him or her.

Because of my decision, my doctor agreed to tie my tubes as a form of birth control. I have since remarried, but am unable to have a baby with my husband who has and now never will have any children of his own. My abortion has affected me and others in my life in ways I never thought of, ways no one ever told me about.

My prayer today is that the lie of abortion will be overcome by the power of all the testimonies shared here. I pray that other women who bought into that lie like I did, will hear or see this and will reach out for the hope that we, through Christ, are able to offer. We can be Silent No More about the real truth of the effects of abortion.

Amber’s Testimony

It is a simple procedure that is resetting your body’s natural time clock. This statement is untrue, yet for all of the women who have experienced abortion this is what we have been told. When in fact what they should tell you about is the depression, lack of self worth, anger, guilt and anxiety that you are likely to experience after your abortion. These are some of the symptoms of PAS or post-abortion syndrome.

I believe that if someone had told me the truth about abortion 11 years ago I would have made a different decision. As a sixteen year old I choose to have my first abortion. This sent me on a downward spiral and later I made the choice for abortion again. I lived with self-hatred and worthlessness for years; it didn’t only effect me, my relationships with family and friends suffered also. I believed abortion was the unforgivable sin. It wasn’t until I became a wife and mother that I realized my need for help was much greater than the shame I lived with daily.

I found healing and restoration for my life just over a year ago and am now part of a leadership team for post-abortive women. I have accepted God’s Grace and forgiveness that was always there for me and I have forgiven myself. There is help for those who are suffering in silence from abortion. You are not alone. Everyday I think about my children and everyday I pray that others will not make the choice I did. By sharing my story I hope to Save One, One Woman, One child. Choose life!

Dail’s Testimony

I am here today because I regret my abortion and it is not good for women or men. I want America to know the truth. Most doctors and all abortionists do not want to tell you about the pain women experience. My wife had taken an experimental drug for her bladder, our family doctor urged us to abort this baby, and her life was in danger.

We went to Planned Parenthood in Little Rock, AR. Some people say they are Choice, what they are really saying is that they want their baby to die so they can live a particular lifestyle or not have the responsibility of raising that child. If that is not a selfish choice, I don’t know what is.

We were not told about the risks or the consequences my wife and I would suffer later. Our family doctor didn’t tell us that my wife might bleed uncontrollably. He never mentioned the emotional torment my wife and I would face. He said, “You need to have this abortion before the baby’s heart starts beating”. My wife was in her seventh week of pregnancy. We now know that at four weeks her heart was beating.

The most important thing about abortion that I believe everyone needs to know is that is takes the life of a child. I will never get to take my little girl to school on her first day, never be at her 1st birthday party, never meet her first boyfriend, never walk her across the football field at homecoming game. I will never here her play or join in the everyday conversations a girl has with her brothers. The lies about abortion are coming to the surface. We cannot undo what has happened to our children and our lives. What we can do is tell our stories and let people know that it is painful and we want to prevent people from making the same mistake we did. Jill would be almost 26 years old now, a lot of times I wonder what type of nurse or teacher or housewife she would be. Give all your children personhood and honor; let people hear their stories.

We all would like to thank you for coming here today and listening to us. We hope that what you here today will open some eyes about abortion. There are a lot of Moms and Dads out there who need healing, and the God who gave us life can certainly heal our lives.

Debbie’s Testimony

On my 19th birthday, I allowed the murder of my baby by way of an abortion.
The baby’s father and I got married but decided not have a baby. We convinced ourselves that “we just weren’t ready.”

On July 18, 1975, we arrived at a regular doctor’s office, clean and professional. This aided in the illusion that I was doing the “right thing”. My only concern at the time was getting this done before the tissue turned into a baby, I believed the lie that was being told at that time.

You don’t realize, before your abortion, that the trauma you are so willing to put your body through will have deep and lasting consequences later in your life and I spent more than 25 years living in a continuous nightmare. The regret has been unbearable, wondering what my son would have looked like, what would he have accomplished in this world.

Up until 4 years ago I wasn’t even able to say the word abortion and all I wanted was just to forget and never think it about again. God however, needed me to remember my abortion so that He could heal my pain, stop my nightmares and put an end to my destructive behaviors.

It may be a woman’s right to choose – But abortion, as your only choice is no choice at all and leads to a life of total devastation. There are more people affected by an abortion than just the baby and the mother. I now realize that I denied the father, grandparents, siblings, other family members, teachers, and even the church a valuable person to know and love.

What the world has been denied, Heaven has received and been blessed. If only one women is convinced not to abort her child – then Heaven will rejoice.

Simple enough for a “simple procedure”. It was so quick and easy.
It would have been much more complicated for me to have opened a checking account that day than to have had an abortion. What could be bad about that? My problem was solved and the abortion clinic had their money. Everybody was happy now and I could go on with my life.

But there was no “simple recovery”. Fifteen years later, I still cannot say I have fully recovered. I wish I could lay down 10 twenty dollar bills on a table today and be rid of the constant shame of having had an abortion. I wish I could lay down 10 twenty dollar bills and have (what I know now was my child!!!) back.

But I cannot. And that leaves me with a lot of anger because I feel like I was not given all the information. Now, looking back, I feel deceived, ignorant, and appallingly lacking in plain common sense. Because abortion advocates provide little education to prepare you for the overwhelming sense of loss you will feel after abortion, the emotional, spiritual, and psychological aftershock came to me totally unexpected.

I did not expect to feel grief! But I did. And because society does not allow women to grieve abortion as a pregnancy loss, I went on with my life in monumental denial. This unresolved grief led to many bad choices including alcoholism, destructive carelessness, and an insatiable desire to destroy anything good that came into my life. I am sad to look back at the many bad choices I made after the abortion and the relationships that were destroyed. And I am sad that I lived for so many years not even realizing these destructive behaviors were related to my past abortion!

Unfortunately, my speech today will not stop the almost 4,000 abortions that will happen in this country today. However, my speech can begin to chip away at the lack of awareness that fuels the abortion industry. Many people are simply unaware of the traumatic and severely negative reactions women have had to abortion.

But you do not have to suffer in silence anymore. You are not alone in your pain if you have had an abortion. Your story is not unique. It is much more common that you could ever imagine. There is help. Please call 1-866-482LIFE. Someone is waiting there to get you the help you thought you’d never find.

Millie's Testimony

In 1979 while I was taking an experimental drug for a tumor on my bladder, I became pregnant. My doctor told me I could not have the baby because my life could be in danger and that my baby could be a monster. He said I must have a D & C (dilation and curettage) quickly before the baby’s heart started beating.

I was seven weeks pregnant, 25 years old and a healthy “mother’s health exception” candidate for an abortion, although the doctor never used that word. I was married to my husband, now of 30 years, and had a three-year-old son. I felt pressure to choose between my three year old I could see and the “blob of tissue” that was the unknown.

We were active church members and a Christian family. We called our parents and close family. We prayed and decided to take the doctor’s advice. I honestly thought I had to have this “cleaning out” or I would not be around to raise my three yr. old son.

My doctor sent me to a Planned Parenthood facility in Little Rock. I wonder now why I was sent there if my pregnancy was at risk? I remember the cold table and the almost empty room. The nurse told me it would be over quickly, wouldn’t hurt, and that I could return to work in a couple of days. She was absolutely wrong! I remember hearing the machine and beginning to wonder, “What is happening to me?”

After coming home I felt excruciating pain and immediate mental anguish. I tried to walk and began hemorrhaging. More body parts came out as I went to the bathroom! I cried myself to sleep and the depression began. I couldn’t even say the word abortion and I wanted to punish myself. I repressed the event for over 12 years before I could admit the truth thanks to another woman’s testimony. And had it not been for my relationship with God, I would have lost my mind. I continually had many pelvic infections, endometriosis, and had to have a hysterectomy at an early age.

I believe the question that was not answered by the courts in 1973 of “What is it?” must be answered. I have given my daughter, Jill Allison personhood and honor in order to grieve her loss and begin to heal. Her size, level of development, environment, and degree of dependency did not justify her death.

Abortion took the life of my daughter. After all, we don’t kill dead things. In 1979 the nurse said, “This will be over quickly,” but that has not been true in my experience. I will have regret for the rest of my life. Abortion hurt me and was a very poor choice.

If you have had an abortion, I want you to know that you are not alone. Research says almost one in two women that are age 45 have had an abortion –or 43%. Please call the toll free number 1-866-482-LIFE and find help today. Shame is the ultimate silencer, but the truth will set you free. Be silent no more.
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Millie is the director of and professional counselor for Concepts of Truth, Inc., a non-profit professional counseling and care pregnancy center. The center also offers support groups and Bible studies for post-abortive men and women and coordinates an abortion recovery National Helpline. Her husband Dail is the president and is active in working with post-abortive men.

Concepts of Truth, Inc. originated the Pastor’s Guide to Heal Our Nation to help pastors understand that women and men are hurting from abortion, have a need to find healing and a need for the church to reach out to them. Please call 1-866-482-LIFE for help or scheduling information.

After teaching junior high school science for seven years, receiving her master’s degree in counseling education, employed as a school counselor for four years and being in private practice as a licensed professional counselor for three years, Millie is a speaker, singer, songwriter and author who is active in her profession and passionate about her work and her love for Jesus Christ. Her dramatic testimony reveals the truth about abortion and the shame that silences women. Her professional skill enables her to help churches and others with counseling needs. Her audiences are moved and women are coming forward for help and healing as she ministers.

Currently, Millie serves as the Arkansas state leader for Operation Outcry: Silent No More, a legal effort to overturn Roe v. Wade and a national campaign to reach out to women needing healing from abortion.

Born and raised in Eastern Arkansas, Millie Lace has been married to her husband Dail since 1974. They have three children. Jonathan, a son age 29, is a youth minister in Atlanta, GA. Jared, their youngest son, age 24 is a musician and also resides in Atlanta. Their daughter, Jill Allison died from an abortion at seven weeks in 1979.