Services
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Unplanned Pregnancy Support
Your feelings
Finding yourself pregnant when it wasn’t planned nor intended, can leave you feeling shocked and disoriented. It is normal to feel frightened and confused, and not a pleasant situation to be in. You may feel like your life has been turned upside down. You may be experiencing a wide range of emotions – anything from shock, anger, and panic, to joy and elation. You may also find it difficult to think through what you want to do. It may also be difficult to tell anyone and when you do all you receive is lot of conflicting advice.
I was in such a panic – you helped me look at things I hadn’t thought about and you helped me to calm down and seriously consider my future. I discovered I had more going for me than I realised.
A Service User
How we can help
What you don’t need is to feel pressured or rushed into a decision. For most people, talking it over with someone during this initial stage helps tremendously. You will want someone to listen to you without trying to persuade you to ‘do the right thing’. GPC has trained listeners who will give you the time and a safe space to talk through your situation and how you are feeling about it, allowing you time to sort out your thoughts so you can make the decision that is right for you.
Baby Loss, Miscarriage & Birth Parent Support
Miscarriage is a distinct type of loss. The experience of miscarriage/baby loss will be different for everyone. You’ve lost someone you never got to know, along with all the hopes and dreams you had for that person. Although most of what you feel about your loss will be the same as other people in your situation, your own experience is unique to you. Some people feel they will never get over the feelings of shock, anger, pain, loneliness and deep sadness. You may have feelings of misplaced guilt. The whole situation may even seem unreal.
How can we help
Losing a baby is a tragic experience to go through. Being told that ‘miscarriage is a common occurrence’ and ‘you can always try again’, doesn’t help to ease the pain. What these statements can do is cause you to withdraw from talking about what has happened. We want to give you time and space to talk about your experience.
Your offices were a haven of calm for me when the rest of the world seemed too loud. You helped me understand that what I was feeling was a normal part of the grieving process and gave me space to let my feelings out until I felt able to cope on my own.
A Service User
Post Abortion Support
Your feelings
Many women may feel relief after having an abortion yet at the same time have normal feelings of sadness, grief, or regret. Some women are forced to keep the whole episode a secret, which can add to their distress. The anxiety felt during your pregnancy may now be replaced with more unease and pain. Being convinced that you’ve made a right choice may stop you from expressing the negative feelings you are experiencing. Others may criticise you for acknowledging anything but relief and only encourage you to ‘forget about it’ and ‘move on with your life’. Moving on may be difficult until you deal with these unspoken thoughts and emotions.
How can we help
Whatever the extent and range of your emotions, we offer the chance to talk about your experience in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Expressing how you feel to someone who understands and can lead you through the maze of conflicting thoughts and feelings can help. We are happy to just listen or we can support you though your ‘journey’ of recovery. The return to a healthier state of well being may take several weeks or months. Our catchphrase is: ‘We cannot change the past, we do not know the future, but we can change the way we think’.
Who we help
This support is extended to all those affected by an abortion. Partners, parents, grandparents and others also need a chance to speak unhindered about their feelings.
Finding a Positive Pregnancy Test
We offer time to talk through all the circumstances and options, practical help and information, help and support.