ALTERNATIVES: Crisis Pregnancy Centre in East London. Helps women with regard to pregnancy or pregnancy loss, including abortion

Reg.Charity No. 1103724

Alternatives Crisis Pregnancy Centre, 66 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8QQ

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Alternatives is a charity based in East London, England. We meet the need for a confidential environment where anyone with a crisis pregnancy can be helped to reach a decision and where their right to choose is respected at all times.

Abortion

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, abortion -

seems like the easiest option
promises to turn the clock back
takes away the pressures of difficult circumstances
seems to be a quick solution

When you are in an urgent and difficult situation, abortion seems like the best thing to do. But most people know very little about it. It is important for you to have all the information so that you can decide for yourself.

How is it done?

The legal limit for an abortion is 24 weeks but most abortions are done before 12 - 14 weeks of pregnancy when they are performed under general anaesthetic by a suction method. This method is quick and involves less risk than later abortions.

The most common problems that occur are:

haemorrhaging (bleeding)
damage to the cervix (which may cause later miscarriages)
infection (which can lead to infertility in a small number of women)

More significantly, there are emotional effects:

Initially, a sense of relief ..... then days, weeks, months or years later, other feelings ......

numbness
sadness
guilt and shame
sense of loss
emptiness
grief
anger
depression

Many women also experience other difficulties too:

being unable to be near pregnant mothers or young babies
tension in relationships
bad dreams or nightmares
flashbacks
wanting another baby straight away
avoiding baby pictures in magazines or on TV
loss of self esteem
preoccupation with the baby

You may not have realised what was involved in an abortion. Take time to think through all the information given. Based on our experience of helping those who have had abortions, these are some useful questions you may wish to ask yourself:

What were your feelings about abortion before you found yourself in your current situation?
If you were uncomfortable with the idea, can you say why?
What do you feel you would gain by having an abortion?
What might you lose?
Can you imagine how you might feel following an abortion?
How much does it matter to you how developed the foetus is?

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, many women feel as if their head is telling them one thing and their heart another. How far are you feeling this 'split'?

Abortion is not an easy thing to do. It may appear an attractive option but many women find they simply exchange one set of problems for another.

You may feel that you need to talk to someone in more detail about your situation before making a final decision. Pregnancy counselling centres are there to help you find out how you feel about having an abortion.

... what about continuing with the pregnancy? | ... what about adoption?

Ring 020 7476 8215 for free test, confidential talk, help, support.