what can support look like?
A BADP-trained doula will arrange to meet with you to talk about your plan and timing for your abortion. In order to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, we encourage you to meet or speak with your support person as long as possible before you begin. Together, you will decide what type of support you want.
Types of support include:
Types of support include:
- Physical Support: breathing techniques, light massage, heating pad/rice sock, soothing teas and comfort food, aromatherapy, explanations/demonstrations of positions that alleviate cramping, or guided visualization to help manage pain.
- Emotional or Spiritual Support: providing space for you to talk about your thought and feelings, creating ceremonies or rituals to address loss and healing, lighting of candles, helping you create your story and record your experience in writing, reading a poem, etc. Your doula can also help you redirect thoughts, and provide distraction to alleviate discomfort.
- Informational Support: Your doula is a non-medical support person and will not be providing medical services or advice. Your doula is, however, trained to recognize warning signs and can provide an extra cushion of safety for you.
- Advocacy: Facilitating communication between you, your partner and care providers, so that you can make informed choices.
Although many clinics do not allow support people in the procedure room, your support person can sit with you in the waiting room before your procedure and be there for you when you get out.
If you are having an abortion outside of a clinic, it can be comforting to have someone with you in person, or in contact by text, phone, or video chat.
afterwards
You can arrange with your doula if or how you’d like to check in after the abortion experience. For instance, you may ask your doula to call you within 24 hours to check in, and again after your follow up clinic visit for another check-in.
Your support person may offer you a list of after-abortion resources, including resources like talkline numbers and books. If that would be helpful for you, please ask!
Your support person may offer you a list of after-abortion resources, including resources like talkline numbers and books. If that would be helpful for you, please ask!