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‘Abortion Doula’ Describes Talking Women Through Over 2,000 Abortions

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Grace Carr Reporter
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An “abortion doula” who says she has witnessed more than 2,000 life-ending procedures described giving emotional support to women aborting their unborn babies, saying she’ll be “looking into that person’s eyes, ready for whatever they need, while the doctor is doing the procedure.”

“Witnessing is a big part of what doulas do,” abortion doula Vicki Bloom told BBC News. “Some people find it a great comfort to know someone they know, and who they connected with, will be there during the procedure, even if they’re asleep.”

Women who have late-term abortions will often be unconscious during the procedure.

“I had thought that would feel weird while they were terminating a pregnancy, but actually it makes a lot of sense,” Bloom told BBC.

doula is defined as a “professional who provides continues physical, emotional and information support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”

Bloom, a 50-year-old former food scientist, is a volunteer doula for “The Doula Project,” an initiative that began in 2007 and seeks to provide care for women as they experience both childbirth and abortion.

The Doula Project seeks to provide care to all women “whether they face birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal anomaly, or abortion,” according to its website. The volunteer-run project is largely made up of social workers, activists, teachers, educators and reproductive health professionals.

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“I will stand up by their head and be looking into that person’s eyes, ready for whatever they need, while the doctor is doing the procedure,” Bloom said. “Even in clinics where staff are amazing, having someone in that dedicated role can be so valuable.” (RELATED: Self Magazine Article Explains How To Prepare For Abortion. Take A Look At Its Suggestions)

Bloom also noted that she will provide support for women aborting who are already mothers and might need reassurance that they are good parents despite their choice to have an abortion.

There are no standard practices or required qualifications for abortion doulas. Many are volunteers who join a group serving clinics and hospitals.

Less than half of respondents in a December 2017 study said there were significant positives that came from their decision to abort. Roughly 32 percent of respondents “expressed no personal benefits” and 22 percent did not respond to the question. Slightly over 14 percent of women experienced depression after their abortions, the study showed.

The Doula Project did not respond to The Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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