I need professional support, in order to be able to take the right decision
What happens during the legally required counselling prior to an abortion?
What do I have to do, if I need an abortion?
Do I have to expect negative psxchic consequences after abortion?
Most of the women, who visit our Counselling Centre, have already taken the decision to have an abortion, either on their own or after having discussed this issue with their partner, relatives or friends. Some of them are clearly determined from the first moment; others need several days or weeks.
However, sometimes a strong internal conflict may arise in this situation: the inner voice says yes, meanwhile the reason speaks against carrying the pregnancy to term. Perhaps your partner doesn’t want to have the baby, and you would not like to lose him. Or you do not wish to have children, but your conscience doesn’t allow you to have an abortion.
For such a difficult situation we offer you detailed and, if necessary, repeated counselling sessions. We would like to support you to find a solution for your conflict. Since the decision you have to take is extremely important and far-reaching, you should be able to accept it and live with it in your future life.
You are the one to take the decision whether to have an abortion. You must not be influenced or patronized during the counselling session. However, the counselling should help to protect the unborn life. You should be encouraged to carry the pregnancy to term. The counsellor is supposed to record the counselling, but the information about you will remain anonymous. During the counselling session you will be asked for your reasons to have an abortion; however you are not obliged to answer the questions. You may ask all of your questions concerning the pregnancy as well as the abortion, e.g. financial and social assistance, medical or organizational questions on the abortion procedure, as well as the legal regulations concerning the costs or contraception. If you are determined to have the abortion, ask for a counselling certificate, which the doctor needs to have before performing the abortion.
First you need a counselling certificate. Then you have to make an appointment at a clinic registered to perform abortions. You should know the different methods for performing abortions before making the appointment. In case you have only a small or no income at all, you can request in your health insurance company the coverage of the costs. You can only do this before the abortion procedure, otherwise you have to pay the fees yourself (see also Profamilia and the information provided by us concerning the legal regulations)
Mental distress during and after an abortion is mostly overestimated. Many studies show that ongoing negative consequences are infrequent. Most women experience high levels of distress before the abortion when they have to make the decision and feel anxious about the procedure. After the procedure most women feel relieved. Although some women feel sad and depressed for several weeks. Ongoing psychological problems may be more common among women who had not been free to make the decision themselves because of pressure from relatives or a difficult life situation. Also moral objections of their community or insensitive treatment by health care providers can make coping more difficult, as well as the need to conceal the pregnancy and abortion or lack of support. The most important aspect is that you are free to take your own decision with as much time as possible. You can get professional support in a Family Planning Centre or in a counselling centre. Try to find people you can talk to and who will support you during the difficult time of the abortion. Above all, you should find a counselling centre and abortion clinic in which you are treated friendly and your decision is respected.
