When a speedy delivery rushes a life changing choice.
Ashley realised she had contacted the abortion provider out of fear and panic. Calling Life’s Helpline gave her the time and space she needed to stop and think.
The package of abortion pills arrived the week before. Ashley had opened it straight away and instantly felt uneasy looking at the contents.
The boxes of pills, instruction booklet and pregnancy test sat on the desk for over a week, untouched.
One short phone call and then a package in the post a couple of days later was so quick and easy, so simple and straightforward. Sitting on her desk next to a box of paracetamol, the pills seemed almost benign, but Ashley couldn’t bring herself to take them.
“I don’t know why I can’t take them.”
Ashley had found out she was pregnant just under two weeks ago. She was afraid of telling her partner who she knew didn’t want children so had decided to go ahead and get abortion pills without telling him. It had all been so quick and simple. At least on the surface.
But with the pills in front of her, the reality felt anything but simple. The weight of her situation pressed down heavily.
That’s when Ashley called Life’s Helpline.
Speaking with the Life listener, she began to untangle the fears and uncertainties that were at the root of her panic. They talked about what it might mean to continue with her pregnancy, whether that would be choosing to parent or go down the route of adoption, and what it would mean if she were to go through with the abortion. With someone neutral, someone outside her immediate circle, Ashley could talk openly and freely about what was going on in her mind and in her heart.
After their first conversation, Ashley asked for a call back the next day so she could have some space to work through all that she had spoken about with the listener. She knew she couldn’t keep this a secret; it had already started to weigh on her and she needed to think more carefully about everything else.
The next day before her listener rang Ashley already knew she wanted to keep her baby.
With support from her listener, she planned that she would tell her sister and mother first, she was certain of their support, and then she would tell her partner. No matter his response, she was no longer afraid; she knew she could do this and knew she had support elsewhere if he chose to walk away.
Ashley realised she had contacted the abortion provider out of fear and panic. Calling Life’s Helpline gave her the opportunity to really play out each path clearly and come to her own decision free from pressure, expectation and the ‘what ifs’ that had been circling her mind.
“I thought I could just take the abortion pills and solve the problem quickly then act like it never happened.” Ashley admitted.
But exploring the options showed her that she wouldn’t have lived easily with that secret, that her partner deserved to know, and that she has other support networks should he walk away from her and her pregnancy if she chose to continue.
Ashley contacted Life Helpline five weeks later with an ultrasound scan photo of her healthy 12-week baby, sharing that she and her partner were adjusting to the idea of becoming parents but were thrilled.
“I cannot thank you enough. You gave me the space and time that saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life.”
Often women feel the pressure to decide quickly about an unexpected pregnancy. But time is important. Especially when abortion pills can arrive so quickly. Space and time is powerful. That’s what we offer.
At Life, our skilled listeners and counsellors are trained to walk alongside women without leading them. We believe every woman deserves the chance to speak freely, explore every scenario, and truly hear herself. Without noise, without pressure, and without fear.
To protect our client’s privacy we have used a stock image, changed her name and any identifying features.
On the phone
We’re a member of the Helpline Freephone Range, so calling us on 0808 802 5433 is free from mobiles and landlines.
The call won’t appear on your bills or statements.
Texting us
Texts to 07860077339 are charged at your provider’s rates.
By email
Emailing us on help@lifecharity.org.uk is free.
Yes. We maintain confidentiality, except where there’s danger of harm to self or others.
If we feel that there’s a danger of harm to self or others, we’ll let you know that we need to break confidentiality, and ask for your consent first.
If you’re calling us on 0808 802 5433, your call is free and won’t appear on your bills or statements.
Ordering a free pregnancy test
When you order a free pregnancy test from us, the test arrives in a discreet envelope, which has no mark to identify that it’s from Life.
On the phone
When you call us on 0808 802 5433 Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm, you’ll be put straight through to a Helpliner.
If the Helpline is extremely busy, you’ll be put through to our confidential voicemail where you can leave your name and the best phone number to call you on. A Helpliner will get back to you as soon as possible. When they call you, the number will show as “Unknown” or “Private”.
Texting us
The Text-to-Talk service is open 9am-6pm every day. When you text us on 07860077339, we aim to respond within 15 minutes.
If the Helpline is extremely busy, it may take longer for you to receive a response. However, please be assured that we will always respond to your message.
By email
The email service is open 9am-6pm every day. When you email us on help@lifecharity.org.uk, we aim to respond within 15 minutes.
If the Helpline is extremely busy, it may take longer for you to receive a response. However, please be assured that we will always respond to your message.
Life’s Helpline is here for anyone experiencing any kind of pregnancy-related issue.
This includes (but isn’t limited to):
Do you help men?
Yes.
Do you give advice?
We’re a listening and counselling helpline, so we don’t give advice. Instead, we give a safe space where you can work through your own thoughts and feelings.
If you wish, we can provide information, or help you find information.
We may also be able to give you contact details for organisations that can give specialised help.
We’re here for you, whatever you are feeling or experiencing.
Will you judge me or try to coerce me?
No. We won’t judge you or tell you what to do. Instead, we give you a safe space where you can work through your own feelings and come to the decision you feel is best for you.
If you ask us, we can share medically-accurate information about your options.
Do you offer abortions?
No – we aren’t an abortion provider or medical facility. We don’t refer for abortions or give information on abortion providers, as per our Terms of Service.
Is your Helpline for people who have had abortions?
Yes. Anybody who has had an abortion – or is considering one – can contact our Helpline.
Because we’re here for you – in all the life-changes that an unexpected pregnancy journey can bring. And life is easier when you don’t have to go through the tricky parts without support. We’re here to make sure no one faces pregnancy or pregnancy loss alone.
