An unexpected pregnancy can stir up a mix of emotions, and it’s normal to feel unsure of what to do next. Abortion may seem like a solution, but you should consider how it could impact your mental and emotional well-being.
Confirming your pregnancy and understanding your health is important before making any decisions. At Pregnancy Choices, we provide the services and information you need to make a confident, informed decision.
Emotional Impact
Abortion can affect women in different ways. Some experience immediate feelings of sadness, guilt, or even relief. However, studies suggest that mental health effects may also surface months or years later.
Further research indicates that some women experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder following an abortion. In fact, studies show an 81% increased risk of developing mental health problems after abortion for those who are affected.
While not everyone will experience these outcomes, understanding the potential risks is essential to making an informed decision.
Risk Factors
Certain factors may increase the likelihood of mental health challenges after an abortion. These include:
- Existing desires to be a parent.
- Moral or religious beliefs that conflict with abortion.
- A history of mental health issues.
- Experiencing pressure from others to choose abortion.
If any of these factors apply to you, it’s worth discussing them with someone who can provide clarity and support as you consider your options.
Pregnancy Choices Can Help
Before making a pregnancy decision, gathering all the facts you can is essential. However, this isn’t something you have to do by yourself.
At Pregnancy Choices, we’re here to help you make a pregnancy decision. We offer no-cost pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and options conversations to help you understand your pregnancy and explore all the options available to you.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential appointment and get the compassionate care and support you need.
Pregnancy Choices does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
Sources:
- Grauerholz, K. R., Berry, S. N., Capuano, R. M., & Early, J. M. (2021). Uncovering Prolonged Grief Reactions Subsequent to a Reproductive Loss: Implications for the Primary Care Provider. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.673050
- Coleman, P. K. (2011). Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(3), 180–186. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.110.077230
- Reardon, D. C. (2018). The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities. SAGE Open Medicine, 6(1). National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118807624