British Comedian describes “intense grief” over past abortion

Image credit: Right to Life UK / Pixabay via Pexels

A British comedian has recently shared her experience with abortion and the “pervasive sense of guilt” she has experienced since.

According to Right to Life UK, Grace Campbell, a British comedian who identifies as “obviously pro-choice”, revealed that she underwent an abortion in October 2023 which left her “floored by a grief so intense it scared [her]”.

 “The doctor showed me the foetus on the screen, gave me a pill, told me some basic facts, but he did not prepare me for what was about to come. That I wouldn’t be able to look in the mirror, or at pictures of myself, for months, because I would totally dissociate from my body in the hope that I would feel further away from my reality”, she said. 

“That I would feel a pervasive sense of guilt, for letting go of something that was mine”.

“After an intense seven weeks, post-abortion, the bleeding had finally stopped. But the persistent crying, self-hatred and grief followed me everywhere I went”, she added.

In order to cope with her grief, Ms Campbell said she “did the only thing that [she] thought might make it better: talk about it on stage”. 

“It’s not been this cathartic, therapeutic process, because I’m still reeling. But it’s almost like an exorcism,” she said. 

Recently, other celebrities have also opened up about their abortions such as famous pop singer Britney Spears who described her “agonising” abortion experience after her then boyfriend Justin Timerlake rejected their unborn child. 

Former Pussycat Doll star, Kaya Jones has also shared the regret of her abortions that occurred whilst she was in the music industry and spoke about this to pro-lifers at the Dublin Rally for Life earlier this year.

Sandra Parda from the Life Institute commented saying: “As with anyone’s abortion experience, it is heartbreaking to hear of Ms Campbell’s story and how she suffered during and after her abortion. However, her story does shed light on the impact of taking an innocent babies’ life has on the emotional and mental wellbeing of their mothers. We as a society must endeavour to do better for these women, so that no woman is put in a situation where she feels that she must endure the agony of an abortion.”

There are many organisations available to offer non-judgemental support and help to women who are undergoing a crisis pregnancy, such as Gianna Care in Ireland, Stanton Healthcare in Northern Ireland, and Every Life Counts that help families who’s babies have been diagnosed with life limiting conditions. Gianna Care also provide post-abortive support, as does Rachel’s Vineyard.