Personal and confidential abortion care for women since 1992.
2431 - 5th Avenue N.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2N oT3
Appointments
403 283-9117
Fax
403 283-9139
Anti-Choice Services
There are a number of anti-choice counselling services throughout Canada that are sometimes referred to as crisis pregnancy centres or pregnancy care centres. Crisis pregnancy centres always try to present themselves as non-religious, non-judgmental counselling agencies. However, they primarily exist to counsel against abortion and have a hidden faith-based mission. The information they dispense on abortion and contraception is distinctly biased against these options, is inaccurate and misleading, and is not supported by the medical and scientific community.
Crisis pregnancy centre advertising typically states that information about all your options, free pregnancy tests and post-abortion counselling is offered. However, if their advertisement also states (usually in smaller print) that they do not provide abortion referrals then this is a definite indicator that the agency is anti-choice and will not provide accurate information about abortion.
It is always a good idea to phone the centre first if you are not sure. Ask direct questions and expect clear answers. If you are still not sure, call Kensington Clinic at (403) 283-9117 for a recommendation or visit www.wontgetweird.com for a listing of non-judgmental agencies in Alberta and B.C.
Counselling Services
Non-judgmental counselling is provided to all women on the day of the procedure. Kensington Clinic respects each woman’s right to privacy and her ability to make decisions. The purpose of the counselling session is to ensure each woman is choosing to have an abortion of her own free will and provide an opportunity to discuss her feelings about the abortion decision. The session will also include information about the abortion procedure and after-care and future contraception options. Referrals to other agencies are also provided if required.
If you are unsure about whether to continue or terminate your pregnancy, we strongly advise you to take the time to explore all your options. Some women prefer to do this on their own or in consultation with a partner, family and friends. If possible, talk to someone you trust who will listen to your concerns and understand your situation. As with other major decisions you will make in your life, it is important that you are clear about your options and confident that you are doing what is right for you. Don’t be rushed into any decisions, but if you are struggling with it and need more time, it is important to see a doctor and confirm how many weeks pregnant you are as soon as possible. At the end of the 19th week of pregnancy, abortion is no longer an option in Alberta unless there is a documented fetal anomaly.
Some women prefer to talk to someone outside their immediate circle to help them through the decision making process. A sympathetic, trained counsellor can provide accurate information on all your options and help you sort through conflicting emotions with/without your partner. If you feel it would be helpful to obtain decision making counselling please call us at Kensington Clinic and we will be happy to assist you or recommend someone in your area. Or you can call the National Abortion Federation (NAF) Hotline at 1-800-772-9100. This toll free confidential hotline is available to answer any questions you may have about abortion, options counselling, or post abortion issues. A listing of non-judgmental service providers in Alberta and B.C. can also be found at www.wontgetweird.com.
Visit our resources page for a list of additional counselling resources.
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Post Abortion Counselling
A woman may experience any number of feelings after an abortion. In fact, a whole range of feelings can be normal. There is no “right” way to feel afterwards. Most women report feeling relieved that it is over and that they feel fine – confident that the abortion was the best choice under difficult circumstances. Research supports the fact that most women do not report regrets or severe emotional distress.
Some women experience positive feelings mixed with some transient feelings of sadness, guilt or anger. Sometimes people think they are experiencing guilt when they are actually feeling sad. Sadness is often about the fact that a pregnancy occurred at the wrong time. It may be related to feeling a sense of loss and a need to grieve. Although this process passes through predictable stages, everyone grieves differently and the intensity will not be the same for everyone. Grief may be about the pregnancy, but also for the loss of an important relationship or even about the vision of how a woman thought her life would unfold. At the same time, moving through the abortion can affirm the concept of oneself as a person who is able to handle a life crisis with courage and dignity.
Kensington Clinic offers post-abortion counselling to our patients who are experiencing emotional difficulties after the abortion. If you feel it would be beneficial for you to talk to a counsellor again, appointments can be arranged by calling the clinic at (403) 283-9117.
If you would just like to talk to someone anonymously, call the NAF hotline at 1-800-772-9100 and someone there will be happy to talk to you about your feelings and concerns.
Visit our resources page for a list of additional counselling resources.
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