We believe there is hope in the storms of life and that both mother and child should be loved and supported, whatever their circumstances.
Our culture holds out abortion as a quick fix for women in difficult situations with euphemistic language like "choice" and "healthcare". At HOPE we will never give the impression that continuing as a mother or intentionally ending the life of her baby in the womb are equivalent decisions.
We aren’t denying the challenges of motherhood, but we are helping her to be informed and to see the opportunities. We refuse to give in to despair and hold out hope. Even in the most difficult and unexpected pregnancy normally there is joy mixed in as well.
We recognise there are other organisations offering support to women in difficult pregnancy situations however, our approach could be summed up in the words truth and grace.
- Truth - proactively & compassionately sharing the facts about pregnancy and abortion.
- Grace - proactively & compassionately sharing the hope of Christ for sinners.
Informing women
For her entire life, she’s heard a one-sided narrative that misrepresents life in the womb and action we call "abortion". Every woman should at least have the opportunity to be informed. We have met so many women after abortion who say “why did no one tell me!”
HOPE is not a medical service but we are here to ensure a woman has access to evidence-based, relevant information about her baby, the abortion procedure and its potential effects on her unborn baby and her body.
Facts about
Physical risks
There are potential physical risks to the mother during & immediately after an abortion, including:
- abdominal pain
- nausea/vomiting
- diarrhoea
- headache
- heavy bleeding
- haemorrhage
- infection
- injury to the uterus or cervix (perforation or laceration)
- although rare, maternal deaths have occurred (most frequently due to infection and undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy)
Studies linking abortion
Additionally, there are significant academic studies linking abortion to:
- increased risk of mental health problems
- increased rates of suicide
- subsequent premature birth or pregnancy loss
- and even cancer
Did you know that the largest ever analysis of research (published in the British Journal of Psychiatry covering more than 800,000 women), concluded that: “Women who had undergone an abortion experienced an 81% increased risk of mental health problems” This same study noted a 156% increased risk of suicide among post-abortive women. Another study from Finland published in the British Medical Journal, associated abortion with a 650% increased rate of suicide. |
There are 34 statistically significant studies linking abortion to an increased risk for breast cancer and numerous studies that indicate more than 50% of women who have abortions, do so because they were put under pressure to abort by family, friends and partners. |
We are here to provide accurate information about developing babies and to support their mothers. Studies raising concerns are rarely promoted or signposted by those who advocate for abortion as healthcare, rather they are usually dismissed, criticised or ignored. We encourage women to take a look for themselves and come to their own conclusions - for more information see our FAQ page.
Listening to those bereaved by abortion
Amongst many who promote abortion as healthcare, there also seems little desire to recognise that abortion has been highlighted by many thoughtful, honest and self-aware women as a significant mental health issue. Women have spoken of a hostile or unreceptive environment when concerns are expressed.
We have experience in speaking to women who tell us that they were not helped by abortion but instead suffered significant physical, emotional and spiritual pain. Many tell us they would not have gone through with the abortion if they had known the facts about their developing baby, and the possible effects of the procedure.
We offer post-abortive support and recovery programmes through our sister project PASE. It is wonderful to see women and men set free from living in regret and restored in Christ.
However, we cannot wait until after abortion to offer the facts or true hope. So we are here to provide evidence-based and relevant information about developing babies, to offer support for mothers, signpost to other agencies if needed, and where possible, encourage fathers to take responsibility.