Abortion and Mental Health: Exploring the Impact of Induced Abortion on Women
Introduction
Induced abortion, also known as the termination of pregnancy, involves the use of medical procedures to end a pregnancy by removing an embryo or fetus from the uterus. This type of abortion is typically done in cases of unplanned pregnancies, multiple gestations, or when fetal anomalies or maternal health conditions are present.
This blog will specifically explore the impact of induced abortion from unplanned pregnancies on women's mental health. If you are interested in learning more about spontaneous abortion or miscarriage, please refer to my other blog posts.
According to statistics on uptodate.com, in 2011, in the United States, 50% of all pregnancies were unplanned, and of these, 40% resulted in induced termination. This means that 1 in 5 pregnancies was intentionally terminated, including both planned and unplanned pregnancies. With advancements in technology for detecting fetal abnormalities, it appears that the number of induced terminations may be increasing.
It is important to note that the reasons for unplanned pregnancies are complex and multifaceted. Factors such as an individual's knowledge and education on contraception, personal life circumstances, and access to resources such as emergency pills or free condoms, can all play a significant role. Support from family and community can also be a crucial factor in the context of unplanned pregnancies.
My awareness of the termination of pregnancy
To what extent do women discuss abortion among themselves?
How frequently do women hear personal accounts of abortion from others, including those within their family and friend circles?
Are women with unplanned pregnancies provided with support for the choices they are making?
What are the varying emotional responses of women to the Termination of Pregnancy?
The emotional response to a termination of pregnancy can vary greatly depending on a woman's social, cultural, religious, and legal context. Despite this, most studies have shown that termination of pregnancy is not linked to an increased risk of mental illness in women. Factors such as socioeconomic status, history of abortion, age, and multiple pregnancies also do not appear to be significant risk factors for mental health issues. However, a woman's pre-abortion mental state is consistently found to be related to severe mental disorders after abortion, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem, lack of life satisfaction, psychosis, eating disorders, substance abuse, and even suicide. Other factors, such as social support, strained relationships, financial stress, and the reason for the termination, such as fetal anomaly or health conditions, can also contribute to emotional distress following a termination of pregnancy, including depression and PTSD.
In some countries, social media and politics have created intense pressure on women who choose to terminate their pregnancies, making them feel isolated, ashamed, and guilty. This can lead to social stigmatization, and these women may feel compelled to hide their abortions from their families and friends.
My Personal Story of Termination Of Pregnancy
Throughout my life, I have had to make the difficult decision to terminate two pregnancies. Both of these pregnancies were unplanned, with the first happening just five months after the birth of my first child while I was still breastfeeding. Following this, my doctor recommended that I have an IUD inserted during the surgical procedure. Ten years later, my doctor removed the IUD, leaving me without protection from pregnancy. In both cases, my decisions to terminate were based on my personal and family circumstances and my physical and mental well-being.
After going through the termination process, I felt a sense of relief. I do not have any regrets about the choices I made regarding my pregnancy terminations. I am grateful for the options available to me and for the ability to make informed decisions about my reproductive health.
My Reflection
Throughout my life, I have not heard personal accounts of pregnancy termination from my mother, aunts, or friends, despite knowing that some of them have had abortions. I wish that I had someone to talk to openly and non-judgmentally about their experiences with abortion. This would have allowed for a better understanding of contraception and provided support for each other during the difficult decision-making process surrounding unplanned pregnancies.
In our society, discussing abortion can be a sensitive topic and may be viewed as morally or ethically questionable. This lack of support and understanding in our culture can lead to isolation and silence for women, impacting their mental health more than their individual circumstances. This is further complicated by conflicts arising from politics and religion.
I wonder how many of you have had an abortion in your life? How many of you have shared this information with your midwife or family practitioner during your prenatal care? How many of you have told your partners, family, or friends about your experience? And how many of you received unconditional and non-judgmental support during this time?
I am also curious about your emotional and psychological responses to abortion and how you have managed them. And most importantly, how can we as women do better with our bodies and lives?
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It’s time to let go of negative thoughts.
While I am confident that my decisions to terminate my pregnancy were the right one for myself and my family at that time, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of shame and guilt due to societal expectations. Keeping this a secret became a heavy burden that I carried with me for a long time.
To alleviate these negative feelings, I decided to engage in self-reflection and introspection. Through this process, I realized that my life has its own purpose, and my function was to forgive myself. I also understood that happiness and peace are things that I need to create for myself. With this understanding, I began to shift my perception of myself, accepting my past and loving myself. Through this, I slowly regained my confidence and self-satisfaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as a healthcare professional specializing in women's health, my goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of women who have gone through similar experiences to mine. To this end, I founded Childbirth Collective, a global community for healing after childbirth. This community provides a safe space for women to share their stories and connect with one another, with the goal of supporting and empowering women to live without shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, or stress, particularly those who have chosen abortion.
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Reference:
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pregnancy-termination
https://acim.org/
