Frequently Asked Questions

Even if you use contraception before having sex, there is still a chance of pregnancy. Keep in mind that contraception is not 100% effective. The woman's time of the month is also a factor which can increase or decrease the possibility of pregnancy. And since sperm can survive in the woman's body for a number of days, the outcome may still be uncertain at any given time. 

If you have missed a period, that alone does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Several changes in your life—including stress, diet, change in exercise, and other factors—may affect your cycle and stop or delay your period. 

But the first thing you must do if your period is late—especially after having sex, even with protection—is to confirm whether you are pregnant or not.

A pregnancy test may be a good indication that you are pregnant. You must follow the instructions to the letter. However, even if it is positive, following up with a diagnosis by a medical professional is the best way to know for sure. They will carry out more tests, including an ultrasound. 

If you get in touch with LifeLine, we will provide you with a free and confidential pregnancy test or retest. The results will be available within minutes. We will also provide further help by referring you for an appointment with a doctor. Contact LifeLine.

When a fertilised egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, a hormone named human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is released. This normally happens approximately six days after fertilisation. Home pregnancy tests check the urine for this hormone. However, these tests are not 100% accurate. 

Although it is quite rare, there have been cases where women had positive pregnancy tests without actually being pregnant. Taking a second pregnancy test may help verify the situation. However, following up with a medical professional is always the best option if you think you're pregnant. 

At LifeLine, we offer laboratory-quality pregnancy tests that are 99% accurate. They detect the hCG hormone as early as seven days after conception, or 21-24 days after the first day of your last period. We also offer a second pregnancy test, as well as referrals for professional health care providers for further assessment. Contact LifeLine.

The signs and symptoms of pregnancy may vary or not be noticeable at all. Every woman—and at times, each pregnancy—may have different indications. Early signs and symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

• Missed period
• Tender and swollen breasts
• Nausea, with or without vomiting
• Increased urination
• Fatigue/tiredness

Further symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

• Light spotting
• Cramping
• Moodiness
• Bloating
• Constipation

The first thing you must remember if you are facing an unexpected pregnancy is that you are not alone. At LifeLine, we are here to guide you and offer you confidential and practical support when you need it the most.

You may contact us confidentially through one of the following options:

• An online chat service on https://www.lifelinemalta.eu, available 24/7
• A private telephone service, on 2033 0023 available Monday-Friday from 08:00-22:00.
• By email on lifeline@lifenetwork.eu

Our skilled counsellors are trained to listen to your concerns and assist you with all the necessary resources you may require to navigate through this uncertain time.

If you are confused or worried because of an unexpected pregnancy, we are here for you!

View our Services page for more information. And get in touch with us if you have any queries.

Our support does not stop as soon as the baby is born. After birth, you can still rely on us to be there for you.

There are a few instances where you may feel that it is not a good time to have a baby. You might be facing this momentous decision alone and may have financial restrictions. If you are still at school, you may worry you won't be able to continue your studies if you have a baby.

If the baby is a result of abuse or rape, your life will be in turmoil, and you may find it extremely hard to accept the baby. If a medical complication is detected, or if the baby has a disability, you might consider an abortion to be the only way out.

But there are different courses of action that you can take. Keep in mind that:

• Many young girls go on to have their baby and graduate from school.
• Many women and girls do keep their baby, even when it was conceived in rape.
• Medical problems and disabilities do not mean that the baby does not deserve to live.
• Even if you don’t want to keep the baby, you may opt for adoption.
• Most importantly: You are not alone!

Pregnancy crisis centres like LifeLine offer financial, practical, psychological, and material support to women and girls facing any of the above-mentioned or other circumstances. Reach out to us, and we will help you in any way you may need.

Whatever the circumstances, if you are facing a crisis pregnancy, it is always best to take the time to inform yourself on all the options and help that is available. Even if you are considering an abortion or are being pressured to have one, please stop and think before rushing into any decision. Get in touch! You are not alone! We are here for you.

Ultrasounds and various tests may be done during a pregnancy to check if the mother or baby has any problems. With more advances in technology, there is a rise in pre-natal medical complications being detected early in a pregnancy. Complications in pregnancies are rare and some may be treatable, but other diagnoses may be devastating to face. 

It is important to remember that screening tests do not provide a specific diagnosis. In fact, they may show an abnormal result even if there is nothing wrong, or in rare cases, they may miss an existing problem. A diagnostic test will provide a more detailed investigation in the case of an abnormal result. 

It is to be noted that there have been cases of misdiagnoses of defects in the baby, which were confirmed after further testing—or even when the baby was born completely healthy. Nevertheless, a diagnosis of abnormality may be alarming and overwhelming. However, it should not signify a death sentence for the baby. Every life is valuable, even with any limitations these circumstances might bring. 

At LifeLine, we will support you and your family and help you tackle this difficult situation. We will listen to your concerns, discuss options, and tackle any questions you will definitely have. We are here to walk you through the pregnancy and even after birth.

A pregnancy usually lasts around 40 weeks. This period commences on the first day of the woman's last menstruation, approximately two weeks before conception. The pregnancy itself is divided into three trimesters, each lasting around 12-13 weeks.

At the time of ovulation, an egg is released from the ovary and starts its journey through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If sperm is present in the fallopian tube, it enters the egg, which is then fertilised. This is the moment of conception, which is the exact point when the life of that new human being begins. At this point, the sex of the baby is already determined. The fertilised egg, called a blastocyst, then implants into the uterus and begins to grow.

The week-by-week stages of development of the life growing inside the womb in the first trimester are as follows:

• 2 weeks: The egg and sperm combine, and fertilisation occurs.
• 3 weeks: The blastocyst implants itself into the womb.
• 4 weeks: Now an embryo, it is the size of a poppy seed.
• 5 weeks: The baby is the size of a sesame seed. Its circulatory system is forming and the heart will start beating.
• 6 weeks: The baby is the size of a lentil. The nose, mouth, and ears are taking shape, and the brain and intestines are starting to develop.
• 7 weeks: The size of the baby has doubled and is the size of a blueberry. The arms and legs are developing, and the tiny hands and feet are forming into a paddle shape.
• 8 weeks: The baby is the size of a kidney bean. It has started moving. It is developing nerve cells, and breathing tubes reach from the throat to the growing lungs.
• 9 weeks: The baby is the size of a grape, and its basic physiology is now formed.
• 10 weeks: The baby is the size of a kumquat. The embryo has translucent skin. It can bend its tiny limbs, while its nails are starting to grow. At this point, the pregnancy has overcome the critical stages of development.
• 11 weeks: Now considered a fetus, the baby is the size of a fig and is almost fully formed. Its movements include kicking, stretching, and hiccupping as the diaphragm develops. The mother cannot feel the movements at this point.
• 12 weeks: The baby is the size of a lime. Reflexes are starting to kick in. It can gradually open and close its fingers, and make sucking movements with its mouth. The mother still cannot feel any activity, but the baby will feel it if the mother’s tummy is prodded.
• 13 weeks: The baby is the size of a pea pod. It now has fingerprints, and the veins and organs can be clearly seen through the skin. If it is female, the ovaries already contain over 2 million eggs.

The first trimester is the most common period of time when abortions may be carried out. The reasoning behind this is that often women are told that, during this period, it is just a "clump of cells". However, as may be seen from the above timeline, the baby in the womb is already a growing human life, with basic biological functions developing fast—right from the start.

And this tiny human being in the womb continues to flourish as the months go by!

In the second trimester, the baby may suck its thumb at 14 weeks and sense light shone on the mother’s tummy at 15 weeks. The mother will start to feel the baby moving inside her womb. At 19 weeks, the embryo will begin developing its senses and may hear voices outside the womb, which may also start being recognised at 23 weeks. At 27 weeks, the last week of the second trimester, the brain is active, and sleep comes in patterns. The lungs are not fully formed, but the baby can still breathe outside the womb with medical help. It is now the size of a cauliflower head.

The start of the third trimester sees the baby blinking its eyes, which now have eyelashes. At 34 weeks, its central nervous system and lungs are reaching maturity. The kidneys and liver are developed at 35 weeks and may start functioning. As the date of birth draws near, the brain and lungs will mature, and the tiny body will continue putting on fat. At 39 weeks, the baby is completely developed, and the due date at 40 weeks will see its size as that of a small pumpkin. The baby is now fully ready to be born!

https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-baby/fetal-development-week-by-week_10406730

LifeLine Malta is a pregnancy support centre for girls, women, and families who require practical and compassionate assistance. We offer a non-profit helpline operated by Life Network Foundation Malta, a registered pro-life NGO. We are a faith-based centre, but we do not impose our faith on anyone who seeks our help. 

Our mission is to endorse every human life from conception to natural death. We aim to help empower people to make life-affirming choices. We offer confidential care and friendly support, a 24-hour helpline, and professional and skilled counsellors to all those in need.

To be pro-life means to stand up for the protection of all forms of human life at all stages, from the moment of conception—when life begins—all the way until natural death. This involves regarding all human life as a precious gift that must be cherished, regardless of the stage of development. 

Every human life in the womb has the right to be born, irrelevant of the circumstances of conception. Being pro-life entails encouraging life-affirming choices for all life in the womb, as well as for the girl or woman involved. These choices automatically steer away from any course of action that might endanger or terminate the life of the baby or mother. 

Moreover, every born human being has the right to live with dignity and enjoy full protection and preservation of life. Being pro-life means offering support, sanctuary, and all forms of assistance to all those who are in need. It opposes any form of violence, abuse, and risk to the life of others. This includes any action that seeks to end a life before its natural time.

LifeLine Malta—and its parent organisation Life Network Foundation Malta—both offer various types of assistance and support to women and girls who are facing less than ideal circumstances, including unplanned pregnancies, abortion, abuse, or any other crisis situation. 

Women and girls in these troubling situations need proper care, love, and support. They require help to deal with the situation and move on with their life in a way that safeguards their general wellbeing and health. And this cannot be done if one of the choices presented to them is a procedure which not only terminates the life of the baby, but leaves long-lasting physical and psychological effects on the woman. 

All the information provided on this website is based on sound scientific proof. Even though we are a faith-based organisation, we do not impose our beliefs on anyone. In fact, we provide you with the practical, psychological, and material assistance that you truly need at such a time. 

And all the choices we present to you prioritise life, both yours and the baby's! 

This is why we will not offer referrals for abortions, but we will still assist and support any woman or girl who is considering, or has had, an abortion and who comes to us for help. 

We believe that women are strong and resilient in the face of adversity. If you are pregnant and feeling alone and overwhelmed, we want to give you hope. By offering you the right support and encouragement, we know that you can choose life. 

Let us hold on to the beauty of life all the way from conception until natural death.

See a testimony below:

We are here for you with practical, compassionate, non-judgemental support and a friendly ear, to help you navigate through the crisis you are dealing with. Whether it is an unexpected or crisis pregnancy, a negative diagnosis, the presence of abuse, the need for material support during and after pregnancy, trauma after abortion, or any troubling circumstances you may be facing, we are here to help.

Our services, all offered in a safe and confidential environment, include:

• A 24/7 online chat
• A telephone and email service
• Professional counsellors and skilled listeners
• Medical referrals to professional service providers and any other necessary resources
• Pregnancy testing
• SaveOne Courses for post-abortion healing and counselling
• Parenting Classes
• Free Training - Women's Health Programme
• Material Assistance, such as food, clothes, nappies, and other necessities

If you need a place to stay, we also operate a shelter, Dar Tghanniqa T’Omm (Mother’s Embrace Home), for women facing crisis pregnancies. Here, you will be given accommodation, as well as the full support and assistance you require from counsellors and volunteers, all through the pregnancy and after giving birth.

In December 2018, we set up a maternity shelter in Mosta to assist women and girls going through crisis pregnancies and who are lacking in support. This home is open to any woman and her children who have nowhere to stay or are homeless for any reason. 

If you are alone and struggling, if you are considering abortion, or if you are facing complications in your pregnancy, you can come to us. We will provide a roof over your head, practical and material support, and counselling services to you and your family members. 

We offer a one-year programme which includes training in basic abilities, such as cooking, parental skills, and personal hygiene. We also help women prepare for their baby and provide them with clothes, nappies, baby formula, and other necessities. At the end of their stay, we will keep sustaining them as they reintegrate into society. We also help them reconnect with supportive relatives and friends.

The 10-step Save One Programme offers help to women, men, couples, and families who are suffering from the effects of abortion in some way. The course, based on Biblical principles, consists of 12 two-hour units held once a week with a maximum number of 5 people. Alternatively, the course may be held on Skype. 

The SaveOne team includes experienced counsellors and therapists. The founder and president, Sheila Harper, had an abortion herself and, consequently, suffered from depression and also attempted suicide. The team are ready to guide anyone affected by abortion through the much-needed healing process.

For more information, call LifeLine on 2033 0023 or visit: 

https://www.lifelinemalta.eu/images/SaveOneProgram.pdf 

http://www.saveoneeurope.org/en/saveone-europe.htm

Ever since we opened our centre in 2018, we have helped over 100 families. In 2020 alone, through the support we provided, we saved 30 babies from abortion. With our help, many women who thought that abortion was their only way out opted to give birth to their baby instead.

We are truly glad to say that we have had multiple stories with happy endings both for the mother and the baby. These are a few testimonies from women who turned to LifeLine for help:

• A stressed woman was being pushed by her boyfriend to opt for abortion. She called our helpline and, with our help and support, she decided to choose life. Today, she cannot imagine living her life without her child.

• A scared woman in her twenties was considering abortion. After a few sessions with us, she decided against it. An ultrasound then showed she was expecting twins, but a pre-natal diagnosis showed a risk of fetal demise. With our help and medical care, she battled on through the pregnancy, and eventually, she gave birth to two healthy baby boys.

• A relapsing drug addict had conceived from rape. Through a long period of counselling, which is still ongoing, she went on to give birth, but did not keep the baby. She followed a rehabilitation programme and is doing well. Our volunteers took care of the baby until she could be fostered. She will eventually be adopted into a loving family.

Read more of our success stories here:

https://www.lifelinemalta.eu/stories

https://lifenetwork.eu/category/success-stories/

Unplanned pregnancies and abortions may present a different kind of scenario for a man. Men are often pushed aside in the abortion debate, and in most cases, the decision to terminate the pregnancy is made without their input. Even if a man is the father and wishes to keep the baby, the woman may feel he has no say in the decision. 

Men may just as much require professional help if the woman in their life has had an abortion. Men may also experience grief, trauma, and remorse. If they encouraged the abortion, they may go through profound regret and shame. They need to deal with the emotional pain and loss just as much as the woman. 

At LifeLine, we offer post-abortion recovery for men who are hurting because of abortion. We also guide men on how to be supportive of their partner/spouse. We advise them to be there for her and to refrain from pressuring her in any way. Ultimately, our aim is to save the baby's life, as well as encouraging both women and men to make a decision in favour of life.

You may contact us through one of the following options:

• Call our 24/7 emergency online chat service on https://www.lifelinemalta.eu. This USA-based helpline is controlled and manned independently from LifeLine Malta by org.

• Call our private telephone service, on 2033 0023. This is available Monday-Thursday from 08.30-17.00, Friday from 08.30-midnight, and Saturday 16.00-22.00.

• Send us an email on lifeline@lifenetwork.eu and one of our skilled listeners will reply as soon as available.

When you contact us, you will first speak with our trained listeners, who will assess your needs and offer guidance. If further help is required, they will connect you with our professional counsellors.

All our forms of contact are confidential and anonymous.

We are a non-profit organisation, so donations and other forms of assistance are always welcome. We also have a number of volunteers who help us out with our clients, but we are always in need of extra pairs of hands.

If you would like to join our mission or become a volunteer, you may:

• Contact us by sending a private message on our Facebook page Life Line Malta.
• Call us on 7711 5433.
• Email us on lifeline@lifenetwork.eu.

If you would like to give a donation, you may:

• Call 5160 2045 to donate €10
• Call 5180 2028 to donate €25
• Call 5190 2059 to donate €50
• SMS 5061 8941 to donate €6.99.
• SMS 5061 9262 to donate €11.65.
• Revolut on 9944 6174 with your preferred donation.
• Send us a cheque with your preferred donation, payable to Life Network Foundation and posted to Life Network Foundation, No 7, Floor 3, Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 1171.

An abortion is a medical or surgical procedure that ends a pregnancy before it reaches full term. The embryo or fetus, as well as the placenta, are removed from the uterus with the aid of pills or surgical instruments. 

Medical abortions are often done in the home and carry a number of risks for the woman or girl. All surgical abortion procedures are carried out by a licensed healthcare professional. These also carry a number of risks and health complications.

IMPORTANT: Please make an appointment with LifeLine today for information and advice about abortion and your legal rights in this decision. Remember that you always have the right to change your mind about any abortion decision, even just before the procedure begins. And make sure you know the full truth about abortion procedures, fetal development, and maternal health, so that you may make an informed choice at all times.

A Medication Abortion is administered in the First Trimester, up to 10 weeks after a woman or girl’s last period. It is often cited as one of the "safest" abortion procedures available. Nevertheless, it still carries a high number of risks.

This abortion method is also referred to as the abortion pill, RU-486, or the two doses involved: Mifeprex (Mifepristone) and Misoprostol.

The Medication Abortion procedure involves three visits to the doctor or clinic:

1. Mifepristone is given to begin the process of ending the pregnancy. This medication blocks the hormone progesterone. This thins the lining of the uterus and prevents the embryo from remaining implanted and growing. This eventually causes the death of the embryo.
2. Two days later, Misoprostol is given to make the uterus contract and induce labour. This completes the abortion by expelling the embryo through the vagina.
3. One to two weeks later, a third visit is required to check whether the abortion is complete. In some cases, if the medication abortion did not go as expected, there may be a need for a first trimester aspiration abortion.

Please note:

• Medication Abortion may be reversed shortly after taking Mifepristone, but before taking Misoprostol. If you opted for a Medication Abortion, but changed your mind in the period between taking the first dose of the abortion pill, there is still a chance to reverse the damage—if it is done in time. Call HelpLine on 2033 0023 immediately if you would like to stop the procedure.
• Physical side effects from Medication Abortion include, but are not limited to, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, and fever. Please think twice before taking these pills at home without medical guidance.
• This procedure is ineffective in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, where the baby is growing in the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus. This is a life-threatening situation. Make sure to get an ultrasound before starting any procedure.

Watch former abortionist Dr Anthony Levatino’s video: First Trimester Medical Abortion - Abortion Pills for more information about this abortion procedure.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n7cb4r0G0G0

It is also good to note that only 12% of abortionists are actually willing to recommend the abortion pill to a friend. Furthermore, approximately a third of abortion doctors have firsthand experience of complications arising for the mother after a medical abortion. These include haemorrhaging, sepsis, incomplete abortions, and ruptured uterus. (https://www.liveaction.org/news/12-percent-abortionists-abortion-pill-friends/)

There are various types of Surgical Abortions, depending on how advanced the pregnancy is and the size of the baby.

Aspiration Abortion (carried out in the First Trimester - 5 to 14 weeks after last period)

This type of abortion is more common because it takes less time and requires less visits to the clinic. It may be done in as little as 15 minutes. However, if the pregnancy is further into the first trimester, the patient would need to be dilated hours, or even a day, before the abortion.

The Aspiration Abortion procedure involves the following:

1. The cervix is dilated.
2. A cannula (a plastic tube) is inserted through the cervix into the uterus.
3. The abortionist then uses the cannula to pull the embryo or fetus out of the uterus through suction.
4. To avoid the risk of infection and other complications, the abortionist must make sure that every part of the embryo or fetus, as well as the placenta, has been removed.
5. For 5-9 weeks pregnancies, a syringe may be used instead of a cannula (early-stage aspiration abortion). For 10-14 weeks pregnancies, a machine-operated pump is often required.
6. Most Aspiration Abortions require local or general anesthesia.

Watch former abortionist Dr Anthony Levatino’s video: First Trimester Surgical Abortion Aspiration Suction for more information about this abortion procedure.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_d5pM9Y5zPg&has_verified=1

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) (carried out in the Second Trimester - 15 to 23 weeks)

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) is a combination of Vacuum Aspiration and Dilation and Curettage (D&C). The cervix is dilated at least a day before using Misoprostol or a dilation tool called a "laminaria".

The Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) procedure involves the following:

1. An ultrasound pinpoints the location of the fetus.
2. The abortionist then decides whether to use Vacuum Aspiration or D&C to pull the fetus out of the uterus. This depends on the size of the baby and how far along the pregnancy is.
3. At 16 weeks or less of pregnancy, Vacuum Aspiration is used to remove the fetus with suction force.
4. At over 16 weeks of pregnancy, or for larger babies, the abortionist may opt for a D&C.

The Dilation & Curettage (D&C) procedure involves the following:

1. Forceps are inserted through the vagina and cervix, into the uterus.
2. With the help of an ultrasound, the abortionist uses the forceps to pull the fetus out piece by piece.
3. The abortionist must keep note of the fetal body parts so as to make sure that none are left in the uterus, which could lead to infection.
4. The final step is using a curette and/or suction instrument to empty the uterus of any leftover tissue or blood clots.

Watch Dr Anthony Levatino’s video: Second Trimester Surgical Abortion D&E for more information about this abortion procedure.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jgw4X7Dw_3k

An Intact D&E procedure, carried out in the third trimester (final 12 weeks of the pregnancy), uses similar tools. However, the baby's skull is first crushed with forceps, by making an opening at the base of the skull and suctioning out the skull's contents before continuing with the procedure.

Labour Induction Abortion (carried out in the Second and Third Trimesters)

Although not as common, women resort to this type of abortion because the fetus was diagnosed with a fetal anomaly.

The Labour Induction Abortion procedure involves the following:

1. Fetal demise is first achieved by injecting the fetus's heart with a lethal dose of potassium chloride, using a 25-gauge needle.
2. Labour is then induced by administering Misoprostol. Mifepristone is also sometimes given.
3. The dead fetus is delivered. The delivery may take between 10 to 24 hours in a hospital unit.

Watch Dr Anthony Levatino’s video: Third Trimester Induction Abortion Injection and Stillbirth for more information about this abortion procedure.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qMMoxL8e1wE

Just like any other procedures, abortion methods carry a number of risks and complications for the woman. Whether you have opted for a medical or surgical abortion, you may experience physical side effects, such as abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Complications from abortions include heavy bleeding, blood clots, and various levels of infection. More serious complications may involve an incomplete abortion, damage to the cervix, a perforated uterus or scarring in the uterine lining, and even maternal death. A woman may also suffer fertility issues in the future. 

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any abnormal side effects right after having an abortion. 

Other physical symptoms may not appear immediately, so keep an eye out for anything abnormal in the weeks following an abortion. Also, be aware that having an abortion may lead to emotional and psychological impacts that may appear immediately, or weeks, months, or even years after the abortion. Possible consequences may include depression, guilt, distressing memories and dreams, and suicidal tendencies. Other effects may involve problems in relationships, sexual dysfunction, substance abuse, and eating disorders. 

Seek medical help if you experience psychological effects, or contact LifeLine and we will help you achieve healing after abortion trauma.

There are numerous disputes over whether an embryo or fetus feels pain while in the womb. The general consensus is that pain may be experienced at 20 weeks gestational age. However, further studies of neural development during pregnancy conclude that babies in the womb may feel pain as early as 12 weeks into the pregnancy.

A fetus may not experience pain like an adult person, but growing scientific evidence refutes previous notions that a baby in the womb cannot feel anything. In fact, based on neuroscience, fetal pain within the window of 12-24 weeks pregnancy is no longer viewed as impossible.

During an abortion, babies recoil from stimulation, indicating that their nervous systems do experience a physiological stress reaction. A baby may even manifest these reflexes during invasive operations as early as 8 weeks of pregnancy.

These fetal stress responses and avoidance techniques all point to the fact that the baby in the womb is very sensitive to painful stimuli. This scientific evidence must be taken into account when abortions or other medical procedures are being considered.

https://lozierinstitute.org/fact-sheet-science-of-fetal-pain/

Abortion is illegal in Malta, although we do acknowledge that the means of obtaining one may exist. At LifeLine, we do not provide abortion services or referrals, but we can offer you accurate information about it and answer any questions you may have. All this is done in a private and respectful environment.

If you are considering having an abortion, please take the time to inform yourself fully about it. It is not a decision to be taken lightly. It effectively terminates the life of the baby in your womb. 

Furthermore, having an abortion can be potentially life-altering and devastating for you. Various physical and psychological effects may emerge immediately after the procedure or even years later.

LifeLine offers all forms of counselling and accurate information about all pregnancy options, parenting, and adoption. All our options are life-affirming and take into account both the girl/woman and the baby. We offer material and compassionate support that respects the life of all persons involved, whether in the womb or out of it. 

In Malta, abortion is illegal, while the morning after pill is available over the counter. Regardless, we do not offer abortion as a pregnancy option. We also do not offer referrals for abortion services or the morning after pill. However, we are prepared to discuss and answer any queries you may have on both these topics in an open and informative way. We will present you with the facts, and we will guide and help you with respect and full privacy.

Please note that we will never force you in your decision. Ultimately, it is your choice whether you want to keep the baby or not.

If you are facing a crisis pregnancy, it is always best to take the time to inform yourself on all the options available. Even if you are considering an abortion, it is always ideal to take your time before rushing into any decision. 

There are other options aside from abortion, alternatives where both the mother and the baby get a choice. An abortion denies a baby the choice to live, something which he or she would no doubt prefer if they had the choice. Abortion only gives the choice to the mother.

You may choose to keep the baby. We will assist you in whatever you may need—throughout the pregnancy and after birth. We offer material and financial support, as well as the services of a shelter if you need a place to stay. 

Alternatively, you may give birth to the baby and choose to have him/her adopted. If you feel you are not ready to keep the baby, we will help you throughout your pregnancy and guide you in the adoption process. We will accompany you as well as put you in touch with agencies that are equipped to handle adoptions.

The Morning After Pill is a form of emergency contraception that is designed to be taken after sex to prevent or end a pregnancy at its earliest stage. It is often given to women and girls after they have been raped to prevent pregnancy.

The two most common types are Plan B One-Step and ella. Both may be taken up to five days after sex, but Plan B One-Step becomes less effective the more time passes.

The function of emergency contraception is to reduce your chances of becoming pregnant. All types of morning after pills carry the risk of causing an abortion, depending on when you take them. Since a pregnancy test cannot detect if you are pregnant so early in the process, there is no way of telling whether or not you are pregnant before taking the morning after pill.

Plan B One-Step acts in three ways:

• Preventing ovulation
• Preventing fertilisation
• Changing the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus

The third function causes the fertilised egg to die, effectively stopping the development of the new human life which began at conception. This is an abortion.

ella is a heavy dose of hormones, and is not effective every time. It is a relatively new drug, and there is a lot which is unknown about it, even from the manufacturers themselves. If you take it when already pregnant, it may be harmful.

In fact, ella is chemically similar to RU-486, the abortion pill, and it is often referred to as its sister drug. ella can cause an abortion by:

• Preventing implantation of the fertilised egg in the uterus
• Causing an embryo to be aborted after implantation, by impeding the nutrients it needs to survive

Apart from the above risks, these types of pills carry a list of side effects, among them: nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, heavier menstrual bleeding or cramps, and dizziness.

Please do not rush into taking any form of emergency contraception before you know the full facts. Get in touch with LifeLine for more information.

If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy, your partner or spouse might be pressuring you to have an abortion for any number of reasons. They may not be offering you the support and guidance you need. They might even threaten to leave, or abandon you completely.

Family members may think abortion is the only solution, especially if you are a young girl or if you are single. In worst case scenarios, an abuser will force you to have an abortion, because a pregnancy is proof of the abuse. Getting an abortion will not only remove the evidence, but will allow the abuse to continue over and over.

If you are facing any sort of pressure:

• Get information about your options by seeking the kind of professional support that we offer at LifeLine.
• Know your rights—no one can force you to have an abortion, or threaten you in any way.
• Get in touch with LifeLine if you are the victim of abuse—we are here to help you.
• Think long-term—how will you feel in the future if you give in to the pressure and abort your baby?
• Give it time—sometimes, your partner/spouse/family just need some time to process the news of the pregnancy. Talk things through and discuss the different alternatives aside from abortion.

Most pregnancies pass by without any problems, but there are instances when complications may arise. One serious, but rare, condition is maternal sepsis—a severe infection during pregnancy—which can be treated if caught early. There may, however, be rare cases where the mother's life is endangered. In this case, medical professionals will seek to deliver the baby—naturally or medically—to save the mother's life, even if the pregnancy is not advanced enough.

A medical delivery is not the same as an abortion. Abortion always terminates the baby's life, whereas a medical delivery seeks to save the mother's life as well as giving the baby full care and a chance for life, no matter how small that chance may be.

Maltese doctors attest that no woman will be denied medical intervention during pregnancy. However, abortion is not the only possible way of saving a mother's life. The high level of care provided to pregnant women by local health services confirms this.

It is important to note that, in Malta, between 2011 and 2019, there were 35,000 births, with zero instance of maternal deaths during the same nine years. The absence of maternal deaths in all these years indicates that women's lives are not at risk even when facing dangerous conditions in their pregnancy, in spite of the lack of availability of legal abortion on the islands.

Furthermore, an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus, may be fatal to the mother unless it is removed. This is not akin to an abortion, as the baby rarely survives an ectopic pregnancy, and the removal in this case is that of an already-dead fetus.

If you opted for a Medication Abortion, but changed your mind in the period between taking the first dose of the abortion pill, there is still a chance to reverse the damage—if it is done in time. Call HelpLine on 2033 0023 immediately.

The abortion pill, or RU-486, combines two forms of medication taken 1-2 days apart: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Mifepristone effectively blocks progesterone, the hormone that maintains the pregnancy and keeps the fetus alive. In the 24-48 hours before taking Misoprostol, which makes the uterus contract to deliver the fetus, many women have been known to change their mind about aborting the baby. 

In this case, time is of the essence if you would like to reverse the effects of the abortion pill. Do not take the second pill, Misoprostol, and contact a medical professional or pregnancy centre like LifeLine Malta immediately. 

In an abortion pill reversal procedure, medical professionals administer high levels of progesterone to make up for the blocking effect of Mifepristone. This treatment is then continued for the whole of the first trimester. 

Even without this procedure, Mifepristone alone may still fail to abort the pregnancy. As many as 50% of women who take only this first pill do manage to continue with their pregnancies. 

Although it is not 100% guaranteed, the abortion pill reversal will, however, increase your chances of saving your pregnancy. In fact, this procedure has had a success rate of 64-68%. The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (AAPLOG) believes that the procedure is safe and significantly more effective than waiting to see what happens without taking Misoprostol. 

It is good to note that, if the pregnancy does continue, neither progesterone nor Mifepristone are known to cause birth defects. 

https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/abortion-pill-reversal-26744/

Yes, we will help you in confidence if you have had an abortion. Please do not suffer in silence. We offer SaveOne Courses to help bring healing and hope to women like you who often find themselves feeling alone after having had an abortion. This is a 10-step programme offering an effective healing process to anyone affected by abortion, whether directly or indirectly. 

Every experience is unique. Some women feel relief after the abortion, while others may immediately regret their decision. Some women will have deep feelings of loss or shame, or a mixture of relief, anger, sadness and hope all at once. Some may not feel much at all. In some cases, the trauma might emerge years after having the abortion. 

Post-abortive women often lack the support necessary to deal with the trauma that inevitably presents itself, whether in the short or long term. If they dealt with the abortion by themselves, they may feel detached from their significant other or family members. 

It is helpful to talk about your abortion experience. If you cannot do this with family or friends, seek out a trained professional. At LifeLine, we offer post-abortive care in both individual and group settings. Whether you had your abortion yesterday or 20 years ago, we can connect you to our SaveOne ministry where you can immediately speak to a professional about what you are going through. 

All of our services are confidential and non-judgemental.

After having an abortion, a woman may experience a number of psychological effects that are often similar to the results of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These symptoms may arise from the trauma experienced after an abortion, and are known as Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS). Even if a woman is sure of her decision to abort, there may still be feelings of confusion and pain in the aftermath, with some women going through more severe symptoms than others.

Symptoms of PASS may include, but are not limited to:

• Feelings of guilt and shame
• Nightmares and difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety and mood swings
• Grief and anger
• Numbness and depression
• Suicidal thoughts or self-harming
• Substance abuse
• Relationship problems

If you have had an abortion and are going through a troubling time, seek professional help as soon as possible. Be aware that, in some cases, the symptoms of PASS may not appear immediately, and some can take months or even years to materialise.