A Resource List of Talklines for Pregnancy, Abortion, Postpartum, and Crisis Support

Accessing help can be so hard. Especially when talking about reproductive experiences that can be so stigmatized and isolating. This is a resource post of various talklines you can call for immediate or short-term support. Tomorrow, I’ll post a how-to on finding and contacting a therapist.

These resources are staffed by trained volunteers to offer support and resources usually around a specific issue. These are really great for crises, when you are feeling temporarily overwhelmed or just need a reminder that you are not alone. They typically do not provide long-term support. Some talklines that might be helpful are:

All Options offers support to people who are pregnant and unsure how to feel or what to do next, or who want to talk about a past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility or pregnancy loss. 
Phone number: 1-888-493-0092
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-1am ET, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm ET

Exhale is a post-abortion talkline offering empowerment-based emotional support and resources. They also have abortion stories on their website and resources for self-care after an abortion. (Disclaimer: I am a counselor for Exhale) 
Phone number: 866-439-4253
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs: 7pm-1am ET, Sun: 5-11pm ET

Faith Aloud offers a clergy counseling line to discuss spiritual concerns around pregnancy and abortion with Roman Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian-Universalist, Protestant Christian, and Buddhist clergy.
Phone number: 1-888-717-5010
Hours: By appointment. When you call Faith Aloud, someone will talk with you briefly and set up an appointment for a clergy person to call you. If you reach our voicemail, just leave a message with your first name and phone number and a good time to reach you, and someone will call you back.

Postpartum Support International HelpLine is available in English and Spanish and has trained volunteers who will listen, answer questions, offer encouragement and connect you with local resources as needed. They have specialized resources to help during the postpartum period.
Phone number: 1-800-944-4773
Text number: 503-894-9453
Hours: 24 hours - you will be asked to leave a confidential message and a trained and caring volunteer will return your call or text.

First Candle is a resource for pregnancy and infant loss. They have online support groups for SIDS, stillbirth, and miscarriage. They also have a grief support line.
Phone number: 1-800-221-7437
Hours: 24 hours

Resolve is a national organization around infertility. They have a helpline where you can call and a trained volunteer who has experienced infertility will call you back.
Phone number: 866-668-2566
Hours: The Helpline is a voicemail system where you can leave a message on any topic related to infertility. One of our volunteers will return your call within 1-3 days.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers 24/7 crisis counseling to people in distress. You do not have to be thinking about suicide to call (but if you are thinking about suicide and think you might harm yourself, please call the lifeline, 911, or go to an emergency room to get more support).
Phone number: 1-800-273-8255
Hours: 24 hours
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Crisis Text Line is a crisis line that you text to get connected with volunteer counselors anytime to talk about any crisis. It usually takes less than five minutes to connect you with a Crisis Counselor. 
Number: Text “Start” to 741-741
Hours: 24 hours

There are other crisis/suicide prevention lines for people with specific identities or experiences. Some of these include Trans Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, the StrongHearts Native Helpline, Asian LifeNet, and the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline.

National Domestic Violence Hotline offers support around relationship issues for people who are survivors of abuse, friends or family member supporting a survivor, a partner who has engaged in abusive behavior, or people who are have questions about patterns in their relationship and want to talk to someone about it.
Phone number: 1-800-799-7233 
Online chat available on the website.
Hours: 24 hours

National Sexual Assault Hotline offers referrals to local resources, information about laws and basic medical information, and confidential support.
Phone number: 800-656-4673
Online chat available on the website
Hours: 24 hours

Lots of these topics can be big and sometimes isolating. You are brave for seeking out support and you are not alone.