WOMB PARTY Care Pack

Thank you so much for coming to our WOMB PARTY. We know we all went on quite a ride together and we hope that you’re feeling ok to re-enter the outside world. If you need extra time or a space for quiet reflection, you’re welcome to find the designated quiet room where we’ve carved out a post show space for your comfort.

If our party brought up something for you that you would like extra support with, we have made this care pack to hopefully help and assist your needs. Whether it be that you have experienced your own unexpected pregnancy, or it brought up some challenging feelings, remember you’ve always got your deep breaths, and your connection to the ground through your feet to help you regulate.

We invite you to take three deep breaths now wherever you currently are. 

Connect to the floor beneath you, underneath your feet, or your pelvis, or your hands.

Remember the earth is always there to hold you, no matter what your external circumstances are, nothing stays the same forever, life is a constant state of change.

Here is a list of journaling exercises that you could do in a notebook, on a scrap piece of paper, or on your phone or laptop. 

  • Free writing – just writing without thinking and allowing the words to flow out through your hands
  • Write about how are you feeling
  • Where are you sensing or feeling your emotions in your body?
  • What do you need in your life right now, to feel good?
  • Plans, ideas or dreams for the future. 
  • Where do you feel most happy or relaxed?
  • A letter to yourself reflecting on your strengths and things you’re proud of

Support Networks

After an abortion, emotions can fluctuate from day to day, week to week, and they may come up years later. Here’s a list of tools or activities that may help you experience a sense of catharsis or help you move on:

  • Talking to a close friend, partner or family member about your feelings
  • Seeking professional support from a counsellor or therapist. Most abortion providers like MSI, BPAS and NUPAS offer aftercare counselling at any time after your abortion. There are also charity organisations that offer talk lines and online chats like: Abortion Talk, Safe2chose, DOPO, ARC and Samaritans.
  • Journaling
  • Writing a letter or poem to the discontinued pregnancy
  • Lighting a candle 
  • Finding a way that works for you to say goodbye for a sense of closure
  • Have a good cry
  • Get together with friends
  • Being out in nature
  • Read other people’s stories to find solidarity (links in the resources section)
  • Breathwork, meditation and/or yoga
  • Have a dance in your bedroom (or the club)
  • Being kind and patient with yourself 
  • Make a dance piece about it (like we did!)

If you would like to talk to someone anonymously here is a list of helplines and support. 

  • Samaritans  – 116 123 Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritains free anytime on any phone.
  • Abortion Talk – +44 (0) 3330909266 Abortion talk Talkline is open every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7pm – 10pm (UK time). Outside these hours you can leave a message or request a call back. 

If you are currently in need of abortion healthcare here is a list of links to Abortion Providers in the UK

All the abortion providers above offer free post-abortion counselling if you have had your treatment through their clinics.

Resources

Websites
  • Ad’iyah – Reproductive Justice Collective (Doulas and support for Muslim folk during pregnancy endings)
  • Hello Clue – What to except in the days after an abortion
  • NIKE – A gentle guide to moving your body after pregnancy loss
  • She Moves – Returning to exercise after miscarriage/pregnancy loss
  • We Testify – Abortion explained: Queer and trans justice 
  • We are Dopo – Abortion support & Find a Doula directory

Leaflets 

Abortion Stories

Books