Rape and Pregnancy

[Louise]

Rape and Pregnancy

© Pandora's Aquarium 2006

By Louise

Rape Related Pregnancy: How Common is It?

Some statistics report that conception as a result of rape occurs in less than one percent of cases, while other

studies indicate higher figures such as 4.7%. Rape-related Pregnancy may be more widespread than we know - many women are understandably reluctant to talk about it. Common contexts for conception in rape are war, and in domestic violence settings.

However, if you are here because you are facing a rape-related pregnancy, it doesn't really matter what the statistics or settings are, it does happen, and it can be a terrifying and isolating thing to face. It's most important that you know you don't have to face it alone.

If You Have Just Been Raped: Support Numbers and The Morning After Pill

If you have been raped, please consider calling the police. If you don't want to press charges, you can still have a hospital check, and get the support of a rape crisis worker in doing so. For rape crisis numbers, please go here. Here, also, is a page providing further information if you have just been raped.

If you want access to the morning after pill to stop possible conception from the rape, it's important that you act quickly. In some places, it can be purchased over the counter, or you can ask the attending doctor about it - and any possible risks. A rape crisis worker should advocate for you about this if you are not offered it. For more information on the morning after pill, what it is and how it works, please see this link: Morning After Pill

PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE JUST BEEN RAPED, GET HELP NOW. YOU DESERVE IT.

Missed Your Period and Scared?

You may be in a position where you were raped recently, and have not yet menstruated. You might have considered that you are pregnant and feel numb, or absolutely terrified and losing sleep. Both reactions are completely understandable. If you have not confided in anybody about being raped, you may be afraid of doing so, but please try to reach out - this isn't going to go away. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of - the rape was not your fault under any circumstances.

If you don't feel like you have a friend or family member you can go to, please call a counsellor, who can talk to you about the fear you face. They can also support you as you find out whether you are pregnant. Go here for numbers for rape crisis.

Home pregnancy kits can be purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket quite cheaply - please check directions and other information regarding reliability. Again, you might wish to have a support person who can be with you as you find out, and support you when you get the results.

Please do see a doctor shortly after if the results are positive. Also, even if it is negative, be aware that kits are not infallible.

You've Found Out You're Pregnant By Rape - Decisions and Resources

Again, you might feel a range of emotions, from fear to confusion and numbness. You may, like I did, also deny you are pregnant, or that the pregnancy could be the result of the rape. You may be wondering what on earth you are going to do. If you are not already clear on what you wish to do, it is perfectly fine to take time to think about what you need to do. Please engage good support while you weigh your options.

Be careful of people with agendas: You may have noticed that rape-related pregnancy is something many people have strong opinions about. You may hear advice that, though well intentioned, is not what's suitable for you and your life. It is absolutely okay for you to disregard what does not feel right to you. The choice is ultimately yours, and you do not need to justify it. In being raped, the choice was taken from you. It's very important that you are empowered to make the best choices for yourself now. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from others, but watch for their biases. People with a pro-abortion, pro-life or pro-adoption position may use language about what is right for you and your baby that can feel coercive. (When it happened to me, some people that I had told immediately raised that there were "lovely childless couples who wanted to adopt" practically before the words were out of my mouth!) Do NOT listen to people who want to suggest that you're being selfish and only thinking of yourself.

Of course, many people who hold definite positions are also able to be respectful of other's opinions and beliefs without imposing their own, it's just something else for you to be aware of. You are looking for people who will listen as you weigh up the different aspects of your dilemma and make a decision. Many women have been scarred further because someone overrode them or forced decisions on them. Please don't you be one of them.

Options:

Termination - If you are thinking about terminating the pregnancy, time is a factor. You can get counselling from a rape crisis center, or from family planning about termination. Please check these links out:

Family Planning USA

Marie Stopes Centre Australia

Family Planning Association UK

It is to no degree your fault or responsibility that you are pregnant, so if you are not morally opposed to termination, others should not make you feel guilty about this option. The same is true in reverse - if you have religious or other grounds for being opposed to terminating, this needs to be respected and your choice to not terminate supported.

If you do terminate, this may be a very emotional time, requiring you to have good supports. Some women also grieve after termination - regardless of the circumstances of conception. If you are experiencing grief after abortion, here is a link to a group recommended as an excellent source of support: http://www.afterabortion.com (site is politically neutral and is not religion based)

Adoption - This is an option for some women who have conceived in rape. There will be many considerations for you in this, and there is help available. You will need a lot of sensitive, gentle care as you work through any concerns you have. Please look at these links:

Adoption Support UK

Kinship Center USA

Relationships Australia

Women who have terminated their pregnancies, or relinquished their babies for adoption, may know that these were the right choices for them. If so, that's great. But even where they know it was the right thing to do, there might still be grief issues. If you have experienced this, you'll know what I mean. Please get support - again look at the above links. The decision must be yours - supported but not foisted upon you by others. For example, nobody should ever try and persuade you that your rape and pregnancy have the "purpose" of being a "gift" to a childless couples. If that is the sense that you make of what has happened to you, that's okay as long as you know your well being is a priority and that it is certainly not incumbent upon you to go through a pregnancy and birth to provide a baby for other people.

Keeping the Child - You may wish to keep the child. You could have uncertainties about how you will manage this in light of the conception. Questions such as what if the baby looks like the rapist, whether the reminder will be too hard or what to say if the child asks questions. It's a good idea to have somebody you can explore those fears with; again, I suggest counselling. You can also talk your fears over with other mothers here at Pandora's Aquarium. Although people often seem to be of the opinion that keeping the child is an impossibility, it must be acknowledged that women do choose to keep rape-conceived babies, and some of us do find that problems can be worked through with the right help. We have very loving relationships with our children. Please see a mother's story here. Also be aware that this in no way dismisses women - or their children - who have found the difficulties overwhelmingly traumatic. If you are going to continue the pregnancy and keep the child, it is most important for both of you that you have the support and space to metabolize the trauma of the rape.

If you choose to continue with the pregnancy, please ask your sexual assault/rape crisis centre if they know what supports are available for rape-related pregnancy. Many women find after rape, that they don't feel very good about their bodies. If you continue the pregnancy, self-care is especially important. Please make sure you talk with a physician, or women's health nurse, about the best ways of ensuring this.

If you'd like others to share with at this difficult time:

Pandora's Aquarium (you are here!) - We have a forum for you to ask for and get support from other women who have been or are pregnant from rape, and who terminated, relinquished or kept the child. Please don't be afraid to use it.

Miscarriage and Stillbirth

Some women decide to go ahead with a rape-conceived pregnancy, but experience miscarriage or stillbirth. I have known women who were heartbroken by this. People who know that the baby was rape-conceived might suggest that this loss was was fortunate, or "all for the best."

However, this may not be how you feel, if so, you deserve somebody who can hear your pain. Some women believe the loss of the baby is a punishment i.e. it happened because they may have had doubts about wanting the child. Of course it isn't a punishment, but again, please have somebody who will validate your grief to support you. Here is a list of international miscarriage and stillbirth support links. You can also join Pandora's Aquarium - the pregnancy forum has a subforum for those who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth, and many of whom understand the impact that the loss of a rape conceived baby can have. You can ask for and receive support there.

My Rapist was My Partner - Can He Make Me Have This Child?

Relationships are unfortunately the most common setting for sexual violence, and pregnancy as a result of partner rape is frequent. Please visit

Aphrodite Wounded for information about partner rape, and see this page on forced or coerced pregnancy. You'll find links to domestic violence, and other hotlines here. You can also seek help from a rape crisis service. You are still entitled to choose what your future regarding a rape-related pregnancy will be, but please, do get all the information you can. Domestic violence services will point you to legal services who can better inform you of your status.

I Don't Want Anybody To Know I Was Raped

It is not ideal for nobody to know, primarily because you deserve support. If you are pregnant and you're continuing the pregnancy, it will become obvious to others. Although it is up to you how much you choose to tell people, (how you got pregnant is nobody's business unless you want to tell them) I do strongly urge you to think about whom you have in your life that you can confide in.

If you are a woman in a married or other relationship, you may not wish your partner to know you were raped, or you may be a young person who is pregnant by incestuous abuse, and are frightened of the consequences of telling. You really do need to speak to somebody as soon as possible, andyou may feel relieved. You may choose to start with a counselor - go here for numbers.

Whose Baby Is It?

If you are a woman who is in a married or other relationship, you may not know whether the child you carry is that of your partner, or the rapist. This could have bearing on what you want to do. DNA testing to help you determine paternity may be an option - please see this link for more information: DNA Testing in Pregnancy

It's in The Past, But I'd Like To Share With Others

My journey through fifteen years was largely a very lonely one, and I would dearly have loved to find people who understood what it was like, to share with. Regardless of your decision, you could feel the same way. Ask your sexual assault service if they know of anything available for support. One option is joining Pandora's Aquarium-For the company of other women who have been, or are, pregnant from rape, and who terminated, relinquished or kept the child there is a very successful forum for these issues.

If You Are A Person Who Was Conceived In Rape

You could feel very, very sad, and question your right to be here. You do have that right, friend. Just as somebody else's abusive behaviour was not your mother's fault, neither in any way is it yours. Some of you write and tell me that although you are hurting badly, you don't want to add to what your mother has experienced by admitting to that pain. Please believe me when I say that YOUR feelings, YOUR pain, are not less valid than anybody else's. You also deserve support, respect and care.

The Stigma group for people conceived in rape is staffed by very kind, caring people. Please follow these links to join:

Stigma's Mailing List - That part of the group is strictly for those conceived by rape/incest, or the mother or adoptive parent of a child in this situation

and Stigma Community Message Board with open discussions.

Some Useful Links

Know more, Say More - excellent site focusing on coercive reproduction and rape/domestic violence - also for teen girls. You can get advice and read stories here.

Rape Related Pregnancy Factsheet - Good medical and other advice

Pregnancy Following Rape - Article by Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Victoria

Rape-Related Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss - Margie's beautiful and expansive site

Content originally posted at: http://www.pandys.org/pregnantbyrape