Click here for resources for after your abortion, including post-abortion community circles. Click here for additional community resources, like food support, housing, healthcare, and more.
Before your abortion…
After our case manager speaks to you on the phone, they send a voucher to the clinic you are going to. You do not need to bring anything with you to the clinic stating you are getting support from CAF. The clinic will have your information when you arrive. If there is an issue with your voucher not arriving to the clinic, please reach out to your case manager. If your case manager is unavailable and does not respond, please ask your clinic to get in touch with us.
We want you to know that we affirm your decision. We love you and are here for you.
For some people, getting an abortion is an easy decision. For others, it is a difficult decision.
We believe that every person should have the right and autonomy to determine their own health and life, including abortion, without guilt, shame, or isolation. We’ve pulled together some resources to help anyone who is getting an abortion.
What to Expect
You deserve to know the facts.
Types of Abortions
What is a medical abortion? (in Spanish)
What is a surgical abortion? (in Spanish)
Myths about Abortion
Setting the Record Straight (in Spanish)
Abortion Support Resources & Talklines
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All-Options Talkline
888-493-0092If you would like to talk about a past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility, or pregnancy loss. All-Options volunteer peer counselors will return your call as soon as they can, within 48 hours.
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Connect via phone for peer based emotional support, medical information, and referrals.
10AM - 10PM CST, 7 days a week
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Repro Legal Helpline
844-868-2812The Repro Legal Helpline provides free, confidential legal services for your reproductive life, including abortion, pregnancy loss, and birth.
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Connect via text or phone with doctors with years of experience helping people manage abortion and miscarriage.
10AM - 10PM CST, 7 days a week
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Exhale is a talkline service to help individuals process their feelings and emotions around abortion.
Weekdays 1PM – 7PM CST // Saturday 11AM - 7PM CST // Sunday 1PM – 5PM CST
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Faith Aloud Spiritual Care Line
If you have spiritual concerns about abortion or pregnancy decisions, Faith Aloud spiritual care counselors here to walk with you.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10AM - 5PM CST // Saturday and Sunday from 11PM-2PM CST // For calls made outside of these times, please leave a message
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Want to hear testimonies from other people who have had abortions? This living collection of stories can be a great resource to feel less alone in your experience, on your own time.
Mental and Physical Self Care
You may be dealing with some uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Here are some tips to manage the discomfort you may be feeling:
7 ways to practice self-care around your abortion (in Spanish)
Hip openers | 5 Minute Yoga with Black Yogi Nico Marie (in Spanish)
Herbs that help with fatigue (in Spanish)
Herbs that help with nausea (in Spanish)
Affirmations
If any of these particularly resonate with you, we have created screensaver images with each of these affirmations below.
I am doing my best and that is enough.
Making a decision that I believe is best for me is powerful.
I know I am worthy just as I am.
I accept the truth that the past cannot be changed. I choose to focus on the present moment and my future and move forward in the light.
I love myself.
After your abortion…
After you've had an abortion, you may be feeling happiness, relief, exhaustion, sadness, or a combination of many things. We understand that the experience of having an abortion is different for every person. Here are some offerings the Chicago Abortion Fund has for people after they’ve had an abortion.
Post-Abortion Community Circles
Our virtual post-abortion community circles are held monthly on the second Tuesday. A Home Here, hosted by Eboné McCloud of The Ayaba Series and Tunisia Tai of We Testify, is a space for people to feel safe and “at home” within themselves to speak about their experiences with abortion care. This space is inclusive, for people of all gender identities, supportive, open, and without judgment.
Want to give feedback on your experience accessing abortion care? *paid opportunity
We are in the process of developing a follow-up program. Speaking to the people we support after their abortion allows us to hear how their appointment went, how we can do our jobs better, and check in on how our callers are doing after they receive care. If you’d like to participate in one of our follow-up surveys, let us know by filling out this short form. If you have any questions on this, please email us. Your information is kept confidential. There are stipends for participating in CAF follow-up programs.
Would you like to get support in ending a wanted pregnancy?
Visit Ending A Wanted Pregnancy for support.
Abortion Support Resources & Talklines
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A Guide for Those Seeking Emotional and Spiritual Resolution
This Pregnancy Options Abortion Resolutions workbook was created to work through at your own pace, and focuses on post-abortion emotional and spiritual healing, if that resonates with you. -
All-Options Talkline
888-493-0092If you would like to talk about a past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility, or pregnancy loss. All-Options volunteer peer counselors will return your call as soon as they can, within 48 hours.
-
Connect via phone for peer based emotional support, medical information, and referrals.
10AM - 10PM CST, 7 days a week
-
Repro Legal Helpline
844-868-2812The Repro Legal Helpline provides free, confidential legal services for your reproductive life, including abortion, pregnancy loss, and birth.
-
Connect via text or phone with doctors with years of experience helping people manage abortion and miscarriage.
10AM - 10PM CST, 7 days a week
-
Exhale is a talkline service to help individuals process their feelings and emotions around abortion.
Weekdays 1PM – 7PM CST // Saturday 11AM - 7PM CST // Sunday 1PM – 5PM CST
-
Faith Aloud Spiritual Care Line
If you have spiritual concerns about abortion or pregnancy decisions, Faith Aloud spiritual care counselors here to walk with you.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10AM - 5PM CST // Saturday and Sunday from 11PM-2PM CST // For calls made outside of these times, please leave a message
-
Want to hear testimonies from other people who have had abortions? This living collection of stories can be a great resource to feel less alone in your experience, on your own time.
Want to get CAF newsletters and event notices?
Join our mailing list.
Want to follow us on social media?
Of course you do! ;-) Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Want to get involved in our work and help us support more people seeking abortion care?
Whaaat? You do?! Nice. Your feedback and your expertise is invaluable. There’s lots of different ways to get involved. Email us with your name and phone to discuss some options!
Want to connect about anything else?
We’re down for that, too. Email us with your thoughts
We have compiled a list of articles and organizations that provide more information, guidance, and support.
The contents of these resources are for informational purposes only, this is not medical or legal advice. The listing of these resources does not imply endorsement of any content.
(The Chicago Abortion Fund cannot provide direct support to people self managing abortions. For more information about self-managed abortion with pills one can visit abortionpillinfo.org or plancpills.org.)