abortion
risks
Some women feel an initial sense of relief after their abortion. Others may experience an intense negative reaction. Some say this is because they did not know what would happen during the procedure. Others experience long-lasting emotional effects which remain unresolved. There is evidence that abortion is associated with a decrease in long-term emotional, physical and mental health (5).
“The pregnancy center was there for me in my time of need. I was not planning on becoming pregnant and I was met with such love and gentleness. I was given information and the needed time to process how my life was going to forever change, no matter what I chose. The woman at the center always treated me with the utmost respect and my feelings and concerns were always respected. I never felt uncomfortable or judged. I have recommended the center and will continue to do so in the future.”
B.K.
Abortion Significantly Increases One’s Risk For
Clinical Depression & Anxiety (1)
Symptoms of PTSD (3)
Suicidal Thoughts & Behavior (4)
Other Potential Emotional Risks
Development of eating disorders
Trouble connecting with future children
Sense of hopelessness about the future
Disruption in relationships
Nightmares & flashbacks to the procedure
Can Relationships Survive After Abortion?
In danger of losing your relationship if you don’t have an abortion? Here are some stats worth knowing. Most relationships that experience an abortion don’t survive (6).Evidence shows choosing abortion to “save the relationship” almost never works.
Men can be affected by abortion too. Many men have reported post-abortion problems such as feelings of grief,
References
1. Pedersen, W. (2007). Childbirth, abortion and subsequent substance use in young women: a population-based longitudinal study. Addiction, 102 (12), 1971-78.
2. Coleman, P.K. (2005) Induced abortion and increased risk of substance abuse: a review of the evidence. Current Women’s Health Reviews, 1 (21), 21-24.
3. Curley, M., Johnson, C. (2013). The characteristics and severity of psychological distress after abortion among university students. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, dol: 10.107/s11414-013-9328-0.
Coleman, P.K. (2010). Late-term elective abortion and susceptibility to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Journal of Pregnancy, Retrieved on
Sulliman S, Ericksen T, Labuschgne T, de Wit R, Stein D, Seedat S. (2007). Comparison of pain, cortisol levels and psychological distress in women undergoing surgical termination of pregnancy under local anesthesia versus intravenous sedation. BMC Psychiatry, 7:24 doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-7-24.
4. Gissler, M., et al. (2005). Injury deaths,
5. Fergusson, D.M., Horwood, J., Ridder, E.M. (2006). Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health. Journal of Child
6. Franke, L. Bird, The Ambivalence of Abortion (New York: Random House Inc., 1978) p. 63. See also Reardon, Aborted Women, 45.
7. Strahan, T., “Portraits of Post-Abortive Fathers Devastated by the Abortion Experience,” Assoc. for Interdisciplinary Research in Values and Social Change, Nov./Dec. 1994.
