When Choice Is the Support: Why Talking About Abortion Belongs in Every Parenting Space

At Simple Smyles, we talk about postpartum care, co-sleeping debates, EI delays, pelvic floors, mental health spirals, identity shifts — nothing is off-limits. And that’s why today, we need to talk about something that’s too often left out of “parenting” spaces:

Abortion.

Yep. We said it.

Because the truth is: parenting doesn’t start at birth. It starts with decision-making. It starts with asking yourself hard questions, looking at your life, your health, your body, your future, and saying:

“What is right for me right now?”

And sometimes, that answer is: not this pregnancy.

This isn’t political. It’s personal.

Abortion is healthcare.
Abortion is compassion.
Abortion is safety.
Abortion is parenting.

Let that last one land for a second.

Because sometimes, the most loving decision a person can make is not to continue a pregnancy. Whether it’s because of a medical diagnosis, financial reality, emotional overwhelm, relationship safety, trauma, timing — or simply because they don’t want to be pregnant.

That’s valid. That’s enough.

Why this conversation belongs here

There is a dangerous idea floating around that “pro-parenting” and “pro-choice” exist on opposite ends of some moral spectrum. That if you support new parents, you must oppose abortion.

We’re here to say: nope.
We support informed, empowered, and resourced families.
And that includes the choice not to become one right now.

We cannot offer “support” if that support only applies once a baby is born.

A Little History: Abortion in Canada

Abortion was decriminalized in Canada in 1988, when the Supreme Court struck down Section 251 of the Criminal Code in the landmark R. v. Morgentaler case. Before that, abortion was only permitted if a "Therapeutic Abortion Committee" approved it — a system that overwhelmingly failed marginalized folks.

In other words: abortion has only been legal, without restriction based on reason, for less than 40 years.
And even now, access is not equal across the country.

• Provinces like PEI and New Brunswick have faced major criticism for limiting abortion services and funding.

• Rural and Northern communities — particularly those with high Indigenous populations — often have to travel hundreds of kilometers for care.

• 1 in 6 Canadian hospitals do not offer abortion services.

Reproductive Injustice in Indigenous Communities

Let’s be crystal clear: Indigenous communities in Canada have long histories of forced sterilization, coerced abortions, and systemic control over reproductive autonomy — and this is not just history. It’s recent.

• Between the 1960s and 1980s, thousands of Indigenous women were sterilized without consent — including teenage girls.

• Reports as recent as 2018 confirmed that coerced sterilizations continued to take place in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and other provinces.

• Indigenous women are overrepresented among those who face barriers to accessing safe, culturally appropriate abortion care.

This is why the conversation around abortion must be intersectional. For some, abortion access is about choice.
For others, it’s about control being taken away.

And for all of us, it should be about dignity.

The truth people don’t talk about:

• Black, Brown, Indigenous, disabled, and low-income folks are far more likely to face barriers to both abortion and adequate prenatal/postnatal care.

• When abortion access is stripped away, lives are put at risk — not hypothetically, but literally.

• Adriana Smith’s story is a heartbreaking example: a woman whose wanted pregnancy turned into a medical emergency. Her care was delayed due to restrictive abortion laws. She died. Her family was stripped of decision-making. Her story is one of many.

Abortion isn’t always one thing.

It isn’t always chosen.
It isn’t always tragic.
It isn’t always something someone “moves on” from, or doesn’t.

It’s often complex.
It’s often a mix of grief, relief, clarity, heartbreak, and hope.
And in every case — the person deserves support, not silence.

If you’ve had an abortion, or love someone who has:

You deserve to be seen.
You deserve information, care, and zero shame.
You deserve providers who will listen, and communities who won’t flinch.

Let’s be the support.

We’re not here just to talk about choice.
We’re here to talk about justice.
About creating spaces where people of all backgrounds — especially those historically harmed by medical systems — can access safe, informed, and compassionate care.

Because parenting doesn’t begin with birth.
It begins with autonomy.
And autonomy begins with truth.

In True Simple Smyles Fashion…

We know we’re not the experts on everything — and we don’t pretend to be.

There are incredible organizations, clinics, and advocates who have been doing this work for decades, and we are so grateful to learn from them and uplift their voices. We believe support is a collective effort, and part of holding space for reproductive choice is knowing when to pass the mic.

We’ve also been connecting with the amazing folks at C.I.H.C ( Choice in Health Clinic ) here in Toronto — and are hoping to have a workshop/info session in the near future where they can lead discussions on;

• Their abortion and reproductive health services

• Navigating healthcare with trauma-informed support

• Understanding your rights and options

• Accessing care that centers YOU

If this speaks to you, stay tuned — we’re building bridges and spaces where you can be held, informed, and never alone in your choices.

Because that's what this is all about:
Not doing it alone.

Support & Resources:

• Action Canada – National sexual health, abortion & advocacy support

• Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada – Access equity and legal resources

• Native Women’s Association of Canada – Reproductive justice & advocacy

• Sexual Health Clinics by Province – Search by location

• C.I.H.C (Choice in Health Clinic)Toronto – Instagram - https://choiceinhealth.ca/

Join our Community or follow us @simple.smyles for updates, support, and stories that honour every part of your journey — even the ones less talked about.

Why Birth Education Still Matters in a TikTok World

It’s 2AM. You’re scrolling TikTok. Suddenly you’re deep into #birthtok, learning about mucus plugs, raspberry leaf tea, and birth plans — all in under 60 seconds.

And while social media can be helpful (and kinda addictive), here’s the thing:

Watching TikToks isn’t the same as being truly prepared for birth.

There, we said it.
Because birth education — real, evidence-informed, person-centered education — still matters. In fact, we’d argue it matters more than ever.

Here’s why.

1. Birth Is Complex — and You Deserve the Full Picture

Your algorithm might serve you up hypnobirthing one day, an emergency C-section story the next, and then a 45-second “10 things I wish I knew before giving birth” the day after that.

But social media often leaves out context. Nuance. Science. And most importantly — YOU.

A real birth education class gives you:

• A deeper understanding of how labour works (not just the dramatic parts)

• Pain management options — medical and holistic

• Tools for advocacy and decision-making

• Space to ask questions and process your fears

• Support for your whole self — mind, body, and heart

Knowledge isn’t just power. It’s peace. And peace matters in birth.

2. TikTok Isn’t a Substitute for Connection

Watching a reel isn’t the same as being held in a room (virtual or otherwise) by a skilled, compassionate educator who knows how to meet you where you are.

In a birth class, you can:

• Learn alongside other expecting parents

• Ask your questions, not just scroll someone else’s

• Talk about your real-life birth preferences, fears, and hopes

• Build a support system — not just a social feed

At Simple Smyles, we don’t just give you the info — we hold space for all the feels that come with it.

3. Evidence Over Algorithms

Let’s be honest: viral doesn’t mean verified.

Misinformation spreads fast online — and when it comes to birth, that can be scary or even dangerous. Real birth education is:

• Evidence-based

• Grounded in best practices and updated research

• Tailored to your region’s systems (like OHIP, Ontario hospitals, midwifery, etc.)

• Delivered by trained professionals — not influencers

We love a good viral hack too — but your birth plan deserves more than a trending soundbite.

4. Birth Is More Than Just a Moment

What you learn in a real birth class isn’t just about what happens in the delivery room.

It’s about:

• How you feel in your body

• How your partner can support you

• What postpartum recovery will look like

• How to feed, soothe, and bond with your baby

• And how to prepare emotionally, not just logistically

Birth is an experience that lives in your body and memory forever. You deserve prep that honors that — with care and heart.

5. Birth Classes Are Built to Equip, Not Scare

Some people avoid birth classes because they’re worried they’ll hear something scary. But the right class doesn’t use fear as a teaching tool.

It uses:

• Informed choice

• Honest conversation

• Compassionate guidance

• Evidence and empowerment

You get to walk away feeling ready — even if birth doesn’t go “to plan.” That’s the magic of a good birth class: it gives you tools and flexibility.

Real Talk: Is a Birth Class Really Worth It?

We’ll keep it simple: YES.

You don’t need to memorize every stage of labour. You don’t need a binder of colour-coded tabs. But you do deserve to understand what’s happening in your body, what your options are, and how to advocate for the care you want and need.

Because when you know more, you can feel more confident. And that confidence carries over into birth, postpartum, and beyond.

Want to Learn With Us?

Join our signature 4-week workshop, The Journey, created for real parents who want real support — not just noise.

We cover:

• Birth prep + comfort techniques

• Advocacy + communication

• Feeding, newborn care, emotional wellbeing

• And everything you actually need to know — in a way that feels cozy, soft, and rooted in truth

Spots are filling fast! Click here to join