There is much debate today about the real effects of abortion and often it’s not clear what women face after an abortion procedure. For many women, their mental health is compromised, experiencing depression, grief, or anxiety.
Abortion, like any medication or medical procedure, comes with certain risks. Most women think of the physical risks but forget about the possible mental health side effects. It’s important to consider these before making a final pregnancy decision.
Mental Health Defined
The World Health Organization defines mental health as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.”
Abortion many times has a long-lasting effect on mental health. Some women are confronted with these effects right away, and many times women are facing these effects months or even years later.
Mental Health Effects of Abortion
Experts share that some women experience significant mental health issues triggered or caused by abortion. Possible risk factors for negative health impacts include:
- A history of prior mental illness
- Feeling pressured into an abortion
- Choosing abortion without sufficient attention to maternal desires
- Choosing abortion without adequate attention to moral beliefs
The Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion (TFMHA) shares… “it is clear that some women do experience sadness, grief, and feelings of loss following termination of a pregnancy, and some experience clinically significant disorders, including depression and anxiety.”
A Safe Place To Talk
Our caring team members at Grace Women’s Care Center are here to give you more information about your pregnancy options. You can talk safely and confidentially with us.
Be sure to confirm your pregnancy before making a decision, as pregnancy complications or the gestational age of pregnancy could make you ineligible for certain abortion types. Contact us today to learn more.