Resources
The choice to continue or terminate a pregnancy, or to deal with a terminated pregnancy, are significant events and can bring up a multitude of emotions.
Whether it is to deepen a reflection, to vent or to exchange with people who are attentive and caring, whether it is before or after, there are different resources.
Decision support
French
All organizations offer free, confidential services.
Grossesse Secours (no English version)
Grossesse-Secours’ mission is to offer anyone concerned active listening, support and information related to pregnancy and all that is related to it, with great respect for its reality, personal choices and values so that this person’s present and future are encouraging.
Telephone line, chat and other services (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
www.grossesse-secours.org 514-271-0554
SOS Grossesse-Québec (no English version)
Organization whose main mission is to welcome and accompany, with complete confidentiality, anyone who is closely or remotely concerned by situations related to pregnancy, whether planned or not.
Telephone line, chat and other services (Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
www.sosgrossesse.ca 1-877-662-9666
SOS Grossesse-Estrie (no English version)
Organization offering a free and confidential help and active listening service to women, young girls, trans and non-binary people who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, who are afraid of becoming pregnant or who are experiencing a difficult situation during pregnancy.
Phone line, email, chat and other services (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
www.sosgrossesseestrie.qc.ca 1-877-822-1181
Centre de santé des femmes du Québec (no English version)
Decision-making tools and translation of the “Pregnancy options” guide. https://www.csfduquebec.ca/outils-daide-a-prise-de-decision/
English
Pregnancy Options – Pregnancy Options Workbook
Guides (workbook) for people facing a choice about pregnancy. https://www.pregnancyoptions.info/
Abortion conversations
Abortion conversation projects is a US community organization committed to eliminating the stigma of abortion by supporting individuals and small groups engaged in innovative projects that create new ways and opportunities to talk honestly and publicly about abortion.
“Conversations”: Avenues for thinking about and addressing abortion. http://www.abortionconversationprojects.org/conversations
Post-abortion support
French
All organizations offer free, confidential services.
Grossesse Secours (no English version)
Grossesse-Secours’ mission is to offer anyone concerned active listening, support and information related to pregnancy and all that is related to it, with great respect for its reality, personal choices and values so that this person’s present and future are encouraging.
Telephone line, chat and other services (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
www.grossesse-secours.org 514-271-0554
SOS Grossesse-Québec (no English version)
Organization whose main mission is to welcome and accompany, with complete confidentiality, anyone who is closely or remotely concerned by situations related to pregnancy, whether planned or not.
Telephone line, chat and other services (Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
www.sosgrossesse.ca 1-877-662-9666
SOS Grossesse-Estrie (no English version)
Organization offering a free and confidential help and active listening service to women, young girls, trans and non-binary people who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, who are afraid of becoming pregnant or who are experiencing a difficult situation during pregnancy.
Phone line, email, chat and other services (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
www.sosgrossesseestrie.qc.ca 1-877-822-1181
Alternative-Naissance (no English version)
Individual bereavement counselling – 6 home visits (number may vary according to need): Their perinatal bereavement counsellors are trained by Les Passeuses and by Les Perséides. All types of grief are recognized, including that which may arise following an abortion. As these are individual (or couple) follow-ups, no situation is compared to another. The person experiencing the bereavement is therefore at the heart of the service and his or her needs will shape the follow-up.
Individual support for termination of pregnancy (abortion) – about 8 hours of support: Their interruption of pregnancy support workers are trained by Les Passeuses. They offer meetings before and/or after the abortion, depending on the needs of each person. The follow-up consists of answering questions, demystifying the procedures, accompanying the person to the health centre and offering feedback on the event. Their counsellors are not trained to help with the decision making process.
Centre de santé des femmes du Québec (no English version)
Guide to emotional and spiritual resolution after abortion (translation of the “Abortion Resolution Workbook”). https://www.csfduquebec.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Guide-post-ivg.pdf
Les Passeuses (no English version) https://www.lespasseuses.ca/general-7
A feminist liaison and knowledge transfer enterprise in the field of reproductive health and, more specifically, in termination of pregnancy (induced and spontaneous). They have formed several other community groups (see list on their website).
Exhale Pro-Voice
A free, non-judgmental text message support line that offers quality emotional support, information and resources for all post-abortion patients.
This service is also available to partners, parents, family members, friends and allies.
617-749-2948 – hours vary depending on time of weekexhaleprovoice.org
Post-Abortion Support Canada
Resources and services (active listening – coaching). https://postabortionsupport.ca/fr/index.php/bienvenue/alleger/
Testimonials (you are not alone)
IVGlesinfos.org (French site): https://ivglesinfos.org/vos-temoignages/
Urbania: https://urbania.ca/article/15-femmes-nous-racontent-leur-avortement
Dr Tuong Vi Nguyen, Psychiatrist
Previously a clinician-scientist in reproductive psychiatry and developmental neuroendocrinology at McGill University, Dr. Nguyen has recently expanded her perinatal mental health practice to include issues related to reproductive bereavement, whether for those who have not yet conceived, those who are already parents, or those who choose to live childfree.
tuong.v.nguyen@mcgill.ca (medical reference needed)
Books
Il fallait que je vous dise (comic book), Mermilliod, Aude et Winckler, Martin (2019)
Interruption : l’avortement par celles qui l’ont vécu, Vizzavona, Sandra (2021)
English
Pregnancy Options – Abortion Resolution Workbook
Guides (workbook) for people seeking emotional and spiritual resolution. https://www.pregnancyoptions.info/
There is a version translated into French by the Centre de santé des Femmes de l’Outaouais (with permission from “Pregnancy options”).
Exhale Pro-Voice
A free, non-judgmental text message support line that offers quality emotional support, information and resources for all post-abortion patients.
This service is also available to partners, parents, family members, friends and allies.
617-749-2948 – hours vary depending on time of week exhaleprovoice.org
Post-Abortion Support Canada
Resources and services (active listening – coaching). https://postabortionsupport.ca/fr/index.php/home/self-help-resources/
Testimonials (you are not alone)
Exhale Pro-Voice (English) : https://exhaleprovoice.org/post/category/community/
Shout Your Abortion (US site) : https://shoutyourabortion.com/abortion-stories/
Dr Tuong Vi Nguyen, Psychiatrist
Previously a clinician-scientist in reproductive psychiatry and developmental neuroendocrinology at McGill University, Dr. Nguyen has recently expanded her perinatal mental health practice to include issues related to reproductive bereavement, whether for those who have not yet conceived, those who are already parents, or those who choose to live without children.
tuong.v.nguyen@mcgill.ca (medical reference needed)
Books
The Healing Choice: Your Guide to Emotional Recovery After an Abortion, De puy, C. and Dovitch, D. (1997)
You’re the Only One I’ve Told: The Stories Behind Abortion, Shah, M. (2020)
Arrested pregnancy support
French
Grossesse Secours (no English version)
Grossesse-Secours’ mission is to offer anyone concerned active listening, support and information related to pregnancy and all that is related to it, with great respect for its reality, personal choices and values so that this person’s present and future are encouraging.
Telephone line, chat and other services (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
www.grossesse-secours.org 514-271-0554
SOS Grossesse-Québec (no English version)
Organization whose main mission is to welcome and accompany, with complete confidentiality, anyone who is closely or remotely concerned by situations related to pregnancy, whether planned or not.
Telephone line, chat and other services (Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
www.sosgrossesse.ca 1-877-662-9666
SOS Grossesse-Estrie (no English version)
Organization offering a free and confidential help and active listening service to women, young girls, trans and non-binary people who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, who are afraid of becoming pregnant or who are experiencing a difficult situation during pregnancy.
Phone line, email, chat and other services (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
www.sosgrossesseestrie.qc.ca 1-877-822-1181
Alternative naissance – Deuil périnatal (no English version)
Community organization offering individual perinatal bereavement counselling and “Red Tent – Miscarriage” group workshops.
Individual perinatal bereavement counselling generally consists of 6 meetings at home (the number may fluctuate according to need): their perinatal bereavement counsellors are trained by Les Passeuses and by Les Perséides.
The “Tente rouge fausse couche” workshops are one-time discussion groups for people who have experienced a miscarriage. They are offered virtually or in person (depending on the date – specified on the website). Registration is mandatory. https://alternative-naissance.ca/fr/formation-service-accompagnement-naissance/31/ateliers-mensuels-autour-du-deuil-perinatal
Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine
Very comprehensive tab on perinatal bereavement. https://www.chusj.org/fr/soins-services/C/complications-de-grossesse/Deuil-perinatal-mort-perinatale
Centre universitaire de santé McGill (CUSM)
Document on perinatal bereavement (from the loss of a pregnancy to the loss of a newborn). https://cusm.ca/sites/default/files/2022-04/Deuil_perinatal_Perdre_un_bebe.pdf
Clinique du deuil périnatal – CLSC de Sainte-Rose (Laval) (no English version) https://www.lavalensante.com/soins-et-services/liste-des-soins-et-services/grossesse-et-accouchement/clinique-du-deuil-perinatal/
The Perinatal Bereavement Clinic offers services to bereaved parents who have lost a child during the perinatal period, from conception to approximately one month of life. The clinic’s team is made up of nurses who, if necessary, make personalised referrals to other health professionals.
Manon Cyr’s Site (no English version) http://www.manoncyr.ca/accueil.html
Reference in perinatal bereavement – co-author of the book “Fausse couche, vrail deuil”
Dr Tuong Vi Nguyen, Psychiatrist
Previously a clinician-scientist in reproductive psychiatry and developmental neuroendocrinology at McGill University, Dr. Nguyen has recently expanded her perinatal mental health practice to include issues related to reproductive bereavement, whether for those who have not yet conceived, those who are already parents, or those who choose to live without children.
tuong.v.nguyen@mcgill.ca (medical reference needed)
Books
Fausse couche, vrai deuil, Cyr, M. et Clément, I. (2013) (section with several references also)
Au-delà des mots : recueil deuil périnatal, Bachand, S. et Labrie, C. (2011)
Les rêves envolés, Fréchette-Piperni, S. (2005)
Les mots qui font du bien : Que dire quand on ne sait pas quoi dire, Guilmartin, N. (2009)
Une fausse couche comme les autres, Lorenzo, S. et Lemiesle, M. (2022)
Le deuil invisible : se reconstruire après la perte de son enfant en période périnatale, Brazeau, J. et Zephyr, L. (2022)
English
Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine
Very comprehensive tab on perinatal bereavement. https://www.chusj.org/en/Care-Services/C/Pregnancy-Complications/Perinatal-bereavement
McGill University Health Center (MUCH)
Document on perinatal bereavement (from the loss of a pregnancy to the loss of a newborn). https://muhc.ca/sites/default/files/2022-04/Booklet_Patient_Education_Perinatal_Loss_July_2021.pdf
Dr Tuong Vi Nguyen, Psychiatrist
Previously a clinician-scientist in reproductive psychiatry and developmental neuroendocrinology at McGill University, Dr. Nguyen has recently expanded her perinatal mental health practice to include issues related to reproductive bereavement, whether for those who have not yet conceived, those who are already parents, or those who choose to live without children.
tuong.v.nguyen@mcgill.ca (medical reference needed)
Books
I Had a Miscarriage, Zucker, J. (2021)
All the Love: Healing your Heart and Finding Meaning after Pregnancy Loss, Hooper, K., Resnick, M. and Diep, H. (2021)
It’s OK that you’re not OK, Devine, M. and Nepo, M. (2017)
Contraception
French
Fédération du Québec pour le planning des naissances (FQPN) (no English version) fqpn.qc.ca
Feminist advocacy and popular education on sexual and reproductive health.
Société des obstétriciens gynécologues du Canada (SOGC) – Sex and U leSexeetMoi.ca
An initiative of the SOGC, ” leSexeetMoi.ca” offers accurate, credible and up-to-date information on sexual and reproductive health (contraception, STIs, sexual activity, etc.).
Sexplique (no English version) sexplique.org
A community-based organization working in the field of sexual and reproductive health with two main objectives: to raise awareness, educate and inform the public about sexual and reproductive health, and to support professionals whose practice leads them to discuss these issues with their clients.
Serena serenaquebec.com
A community organization, recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services, that works to enable natural fertility management throughout reproductive life.
Information and workshops on the symptothermal method.
SOS – Reprenez le rythme https://www.sexandu.ca/fr_sos/
Guide to contraception in case of missed or prolonged dose.
English
Société des obstétriciens gynécologues du Canada (SOGC) – Sex and U https://www.sexandu.ca/
An initiative of the SOGC, “leSexeetMoi.ca” offers accurate, credible and up-to-date information on sexual and reproductive health (contraception, STIs, sexual activity, etc.).
Serena https://serena.ca/
Community organization working to enable natural fertility management throughout reproductive life.
Information and workshops on the symptothermal method.
Stay on Schedule https://www.sexandu.ca/sos/
Guide to contraception in case of missed or prolonged dose.