Whether you have experienced an abortion within the last week, or within the last decade, many feel as though they struggle to connect with their body after their abortion. There are so many rapid changes that occur within your body during pregnancy and after abortion, and these can be hard to keep up with. Sometimes this can cause long-lasting feelings of frustration, disgust, and separation from your own body. So, after an abortion, how can you reconnect with your body, practice self-love, and make your body feel like your own again?

First off, if you are in the immediate recovery period from an abortion, make sure to take care of yourself by managing your pain in any way that works for you, following instructions from your health care professional, and resting.

As this immediate recovery period fades away, you might find yourself still feeling like your body is foreign, and it is difficult to show self-love. There are many gentle ways to demonstrate self-love and compassion to your body, even when you might not feel like you are comfortable in your own skin. You can try:

• Gentle, easy breathing exercises or meditation for 5-10 minutes a day. Do this unplugged from technology, and focus on the process of breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to direct your mind to remain focused on this task.
• Light to moderate exercise that focuses on mind-body connection, such as yoga. Slow, intentional exercise such as yoga, walking or hiking can help you reconnect with your body over time.
• Listen to the messages your body is sending you. Oftentimes when we feel negatively towards our body, we also struggle to honor things such as hunger, thirst, fatigue and discomfort. Listen to these signals.
• Wear clothes that make you feel good. Whether this means sweatpants or your nicest dress, wear clothes that make you feel confident and beautiful.

Healing and recovering from abortion is different for every person, and reconnecting with your body is a great first step to take if you are feeling lost, frustrated, or hopeless after your abortion. Restore After Abortion is a program designed for women, men and teenagers going through a difficult time after an abortion. We want to help you heal and will meet you where you are at in your journey.

Call or text Restore After Abortion at 630.599.0043 to get connected.

Guest blog by Monica Bova, MSN, BSN