Expert: Pat G - 9/9/2010

Question
i had an surgical abortion on august 21. ive been so suicidal and want to be pregnant again. on september 5th i took a ovulation predictor test and it was positive.  will the abortion affect that test?

Answer
Hello, martha,

I am sorry to hear of your difficulty. My heart goes out to you. Being suicidal after abortion is not uncommon, unfortunately. Please know that it is possible to heal emotionally and spiritually after abortion. I am here if you need to talk. There are resources available to women who have experienced abortion and are having emotional difficulties.

Please let me know about your religious faith. That will help me know how to talk to you. Please know that God loves you and wants to forgive you, and although forgiving yourself is difficult, it can be done.

I don't know whether or not a surgical abortion will affect an ovulation predictor test. It had only been about two weeks since you had the abortion, so ovulation at that point seems unlikely, because it takes awhile for pregnancy hormones to return to a non-pregnant state. I can't say it can't happen, because I know from personal experience that ovulation can even happen while a woman is pregnant! Chances are if you DID ovulate, your baby would not have survived anyway.

You should let your body heal for at least a month before trying for pregnancy. You also need to consider why you decided to have the abortion. Are you still living in the same situation as before? Will becoming pregnant cause you to be pressured into another abortion, or will you feel that you can't have the baby? These are important considerations, because if your situation hasn't changed, it may not be wise to try for pregnancy.

You can find an organization in your area that offers post-abortion services to women. To find one, go to this web site:

http://www.optionline.org/

The list of organizations is linked on the right, and not real obvious, but look for it.

Please take care of yourself, and don't harm yourself in any way. There is hope. Don't give up. We love you, and so does God. You can get past this. Please write any time you need to talk.