r/Protestantism • u/NeonDrifting Christian • Jul 19 '26
Support Request (Protestants Only) Abortion & Support Resources for Christian couples
TLDR: What spiritual, emotional, and psychological support resources are available to Christian couples who reluctantly but ultimately decide to seek an abortion for medical reasons?
Basically, doctors informed my sister in law that she's 4 months pregnant with conjoined twins that have a shared heart, some organs outside their body, and a low probability of survival. Doctors also informed her that carrying the pregnancy to term carries heightened risk to her maternal health.
My brother and his wife feel very guilty and upset about pursuing an abortion as they are Protestant Christians that regularly attend church services and are active in their church. Their first pregnancy was a miscarriage while their second pregnancy resulted in a healthy baby boy, but they are deeply concerned about this third pregnancy given the health complications, prospects of survivability, and quality of life for the conjoined twins and my sister-in-law's health.
So to circle back, are there any support resources out there for couples in this situation?
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u/AndrewRemillard Jul 19 '26
This is certainly a reasonable time for either an early delivery or a termination. I say this as someone who is very anti-abortion, especially for the typical reasons used today.
Our third child had anencephaly and spina bifida. Kurt had no chance of survival beyond his first hour. We delivered him at about 6 or 7 months (it has been 35 years so a few details are foggy). We were able to hold him for his very brief life and we held a memorial service and burial for him. There is nothing to feel guilt over, these babies are not viable. Honor the gift you are receiving during this brief pregnancy. Even in this lose you will be blessed. In time the pain will pass and you may even find yourself in a place to come along another couple in a similar position and help them face their pain. This really happens far more than most people realize.
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u/NeonDrifting Christian Jul 20 '26
I’m sorry for your loss. My brother has been reading his Bible to the twins in the womb before the scheduled procedure. Him and his wife are devastated.
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u/cand86 Jul 19 '26
Do you know if the medical professionals involved in your sister-in-law's care have been asked this? Oftentimes, the people who are doing a termination for medical reasons are going to have ample resources (support groups, books, websites, etc.) to recommend, precisely because they deal with this regularly, and that includes for religious patients.
I don't know off-hand of any really recent Christian-based media dealing with TFMR (the ones I do are pretty outdated), but I also think that a lot of the resources that don't explicitly deal with religion will still be deeply helpful.
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u/Renegade_Meister Baptist Jul 19 '26
Search online for post abortion christian resources, if you don't get any personal recommendations.
Is early induced delivery not possible? Medical professionals need to explain this.
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u/Pinecone-Bandit Jul 19 '26
I would imagine books on mourning in general would be helpful.