Prochoice.com

The below information provides scientific and other documentation that legal abortion, contrary to popular opinion, doesn't help women but hurts them severely and/or kills them.

There are approximately 350 entries linked to below showing how abortion hurts women.
Word-searching can be done by key words. Examples are "infection", "hemorrhage", "chlamydia", "trauma", and "breast cancer". Search without matching case.

In addition, you can also search for categories of how abortion hurts women. These are the categories:
Physical effects, cancer
physical effects, death
physical effects, smoking, drinking, and/or drugs
physical effects, general
physical effects, later complications
general
psychological
suicide
Because many sources are quoted several times, they would take up too much space unless abbreviated. Thus, they have abbreviations.

Abbreviations:
   NAIRVSC is Strahan, Newsletter of Association for Interdisciplinary Research in Values and Social Change. NAIRVSC is available from NRL Educational Trust Fund, 419 7th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004, 202 626-8800. MAB is Thomas W. Strahan, ed., "Major Articles and Books Concerning the Detrimental Effects of Abortion" (Charlottesville, VA: The Rutherford Institute, December 1993).
   ABSNM is David C. Reardon, Aborted Women: Silent No More (Wheaton, IL: Good News, Crossways Books; Chicago: Loyola University Press). Reardon's address and phone number are Elliot Institute, P.O. Box 7348, Springfield, IL 92791; 217 525 8202
   PSSFA is Anne C. Speckhard, "The Psycho-Social Aspects of Stress Following Abortion," (Sheed and Ward: Kansas City, 1987).
   Saltenberger means Ann Saltenberger, Every Woman Has a Right to Know the Dangers of Legal Abortion, (Glassboro, NJ: Air- Plus Enterprises, 1982).
   TAP is Pamela Zekman & Pamela Warrick, "The Abortion Profiteers: Nurse to Aide: Fake That Pulse!" Chicago Sun-Times, November 1978, quoted in Saltenberger, 168-170.
   JAMA is Journal of the American Medical Association.

Other notes about citations:
When quotes extend beyond one paragraph, the source is given at the end of the last paragraph.
If a paragraph includes information from several sources, citations are given at the various places within the paragraph. Those not at the end are placed in parentheses.
If you feel you have been injured by an abortion and might want to take legal action, call
American Rights Coalition at 800 634 2224.

Now the actual material on abortion hurting women begins.
A Planned Parenthood brochure entitled PLAN YOUR CHILDREN for Health and Happiness says, "An abortion kills the life of a baby after it has begun. It is dangerous to your life and health. It may make you sterile so that when you want a child you cannot have it."

Psychological Effects

001) Women's Mental Health Declines After Abortion While Childbirth Helps
Springfield, IL -- Women who undergo abortions are at greater risk for mental health problems in subsequent years, according to a new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society (APS) held this June in Miami Beach, Florida.
The study looked at California women who received state funded medical care and who either had an abortion or gave birth in 1989. Researchers examined the women's medical records for up to six years afterwards and found that women who had undergone abortions had significantly higher mental health claims than women who had given birth. Women who had abortions were more than twice as likely to have two to nine treatments for mental health as women who carried to term. According to the authors, Dr. Priscilla Coleman, a psychology professor at the University of the South
and Dr. David Reardon, director of the Elliot Institute, "the data presented in this report suggest that when compared to birth, abortion is associated with a significantly greater risk for psychological disturbance among low income women."
Reardon said that the study avoided many problems that have plagued other post-abortion studies in the past, such as small sample sizes and a limited time frame. "Most other studies have only followed women for a few months at most," Reardon said. "However, the few long-term studies that have been done shows that many women's problems don't start cropping up until at least a year or so after the abortion, often when they reach the expected due date of the child or the anniversary of the abortion itself. By examining a larger period of time, this study was able to get a broader look at the association between abortion and subsequent mental health problems."
Yet another new study that presented at the APS conference by researchers from the University at Albany in New York found that teens who had children were as well or better adjusted than teens who did not have children. Compared to their non-parenting peers, the teen moms in the study had fewer mental disorders, reported less stress, were less likely than their peers to engage in denial as a coping strategy, were less dependent on social support and reported greater satisfaction with the support they did receive.
"These two studies clearly contradict the popular notion that abortion benefits women in general and teens in particular," said Reardon. "Giving birth to a child is a naturally maturing experience. By contrast, abortion increases the risk of subsequent psychological problems, including a six fold higher risk of substance abuse as reported in one of our previous studies."
Citations:
Coleman, P. K., & Reardon, D. (June, 2000). "State-funded abortions vs. deliveries: A comparison of subsequent mental health claims over six years." Poster presented at the American Psychological Society, 12th Annual Convention, Miami, FL.
Hanna, D. R., Lowe K. A., Leslie F. H. (June, 2000) "Pregnancy, coping strategies and stress: Are teenage mothers really more at-risk?" Poster presented at the American Psychological Society, 12th Annual Convention, Miami, FL."
Source of the above: Elliot Institute; July 26, 2000

002) "The most serious psychological damages that occur can be lumped under the condition known as Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS), which is a part of a larger class of disorders called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The PAS victim, through the process of denial, blocks the natural grieving process of the death of her child and often denies her own responsibility in the abortion. The denial or suppression blocks the healing process and the possibility of forgiveness for herself and the others who have been
involved in her decision and her abortion. The trauma often manifests itself as a breakdown of function in the psychological, physical, or spiritual areas." J. Denton Collins, M.A., M.F.C.C. MK19363, quoted in Kogut, The Facts of Pro-Life, n.p 61.

003) "Dr. Vincent Rue, a clinical psychologist, likened abortion victims to "walking time bombs" and said that little is heard of PAS problems because there is a massive denial among professionals.

003) Following is a long, long list of the psychological damages. Not every mother who aborts has damage, but many have more than one of these problems because of the abortion: child abuse, child neglect, suicidal behavior, anger/rage, feeling of being raped, worsening self-image, sexual coldness, fear of touching babies, nervous breakdown, promiscuity, constant thoughts about the child, loneliness, fear of making decisions, hallucinations related to the abortion, nightmares, increased drug and alcohol
use, feelings of craziness, flashbacks, decreased ability to experience emotions, inability to communicate, feeling victimized, fear that others will learn of the abortion, guilt, anxiety, depression, grief, sadness, regret, loss, repeat abortions, unwillingness to continuing pursuing their life's goals, inability to sustain intimate relationships, hatred of people connected with abortions, and many, many more." Kogut, The Facts of Pro-Life, n.p 62.
". . .More than a baby would die in that room. Once I had a personality, a life, a soul. Now I was a body with broken pieces." Citation: ABSNM, 64.

004) "One doctor reports, 'Since abortion was legalized I have seen hundreds of patients who have had the operation. Approximately 10% expressed very little or no concern . . . Among the other 90% there were all shades of distress, anxiety, heartache and remorse.'" E. A. Quay, "Doctors Note Serious Side Effects on Women Following Abortion," The Wanderer, 16 November 1978, quoted in Saltenberger, 136.

005) "The complication of "GRIEF: 109 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 underwent abortions at a special adolescent clinic during a 12 month period. Careful follow-up revealed 'all of the girls had some sort of grief reaction'; 3 of them required psychotherapy." C. A. Cowell, "Problems of Adolescent Abortion," Orthopanel 14, (Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation), quoted in Saltenberger, 140.

006) "Of women surveyed professionally after legal abortion, 23% eventually suffered severe guilt, 25% mild guilt with symptoms including insomnia, decreased work capacity and nervousness (Bulfin, quoted in Saltenberger, 140.); in another study, 26.4% felt guilt after legal abortions. Ian Kent, et al., "Emotional Sequelae of Therapeutic Abortion: A comparative Study," presented to the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychiatric Association at Saskatoon, September 1977, quoted in Saltenberger, 140. "

007) "Up to 43% of 500 women studied showed immediate negative response; the long-term negative response was as great as 50%. Up to 10% of women develop serious psychiatric complications." C. M. Friedman, et al., "The Decision-Making Process and the Outcome of Therapeutic Abortion, "American Journal of Psychiatry, 1974, 1332-7, quoted in Saltenberger, 145.

008) "Subjects who obtained their abortions in a clinic or hospital often did not meet the doctor performing the procedure until it was about to commence, and, in many cases, the doctor was not introduced by name."

009) "The inability to name the physician subsequent to the abortion, coupled with the knowledge that records were to some degree falsified, caused stress for many subjects who began to perceive the abortion personnel as less than trustworthy. It was also stress enhancing for those subjects who later wanted access to their abortion records." PSSFA, 72.

010) "It can be easily demonstrated that postpartum patients do better than post-abortion patients in psychotherapy. Abortion puts women at greater risk mentally, and to conclude otherwise is to go beyond available data. . . ." David Mall and Dr. Walter F. Watts, eds., The Psychological Aspects of Abortion, (University Publications of America, 1979).

011) "This poll reveals that of all the situations which would make a person feel very bad about himself or herself, 67% of the women questioned and 55% of the men questioned in the age group 18 to 29 years old stated that having an abortion tops the list!" "The Curse of Self-Esteem," Newsweek, 17 February, reporting on a Gallup poll.

012) From David Reardon, on the psychological aftermath of abortion:
"94% reported negative feelings about their abortion experience.
On severity of post-abortion emotional problems, 55% said negative psychological impact was severe, 31% said moderately severe 8% said mild or minor 6% were unsure
More than 93% stated that their abortion resulted in a severely worsened 'self image.'
Asked to list what they felt was their most severe reaction, Reardon says 37% listed depression, 32% listed guilt, 20% listed lowered self-worth or lowered self-esteem,
19% described themselves as engaging in 'suicidal' behavior, 10% described themselves as having become 'alcoholics' after their abortions, [and a different] 10% turned to drug abuse; 15% reported that their abortions left them with chronic feelings of anger or rage toward others; 10% reported sexual coldness or revulsion of sex following abortion
77% stated that their post-abortion psychological complications persisted for three years or longer.
38% felt a very strong need for psychological counseling. Many got it.
66% believed their lives today are worse off because of their abortions.

013) "Abortion often creates feelings of low self-esteem, feelings of having compromised values, having 'murdered my child,' and so on. The damage abortion inflicts on a woman's sense of confidence and self-respect is even worse when these traits are already weak. For such an 'unaffirmed woman,' the 'consequences of induced abortion . . . consist always of a deepening of her feelings of inferiority, inadequacy, insignificance, and worthlessness.'" Dr. Conrad Baars, "Psychic Causes and Consequences of the Abortion Mentality," The Psychological Aspects of Abortion, (Washington, DC: University Publications of America, 1979) 122, quoted in ABSNM, 127.

014) "Feelings of rejection, low self-esteem, guilt and depression are all ingredients for suicide, and the rate of suicide attempts among aborted women is phenomenally high. According to one study, women who have had abortions are nine times more likely to attempt suicide than women in the general population." Dr. Margaret White at the Royal College of Physicians, The Liverpool Echo, 25 May 1976; Greenglass, "Therapeutic Abortion and Psychiatric Disturbance in Canadian Women," Canadian Psychiatric A. Journal, (1976), p. 45 found a 3 percent suicide rate. This was quoted in
ABSNM, 129.

015) The fact of high suicide rates among aborted women is well known among professionals who counsel suicidal persons. But also, there is always a downswing in a woman's hormones during the early months of pregnancy. Because a pregnant woman is experiencing a major hormonal disturbance, 'depression is to be expected during the 2nd and 3rd months [of pregnancy], often the time the pregnancy is verified and a decision made.' (Regis Walling, "When Pregnancy is a Problem," The National Right to Life News, 12 January 1984, 1, quoted in ABSNM , 129.) The natural, hormone induced
depression may be easily misinterpreted to mean hostility towards childbirth, parenting, or even one's sexual partner."

016) "Because the aborted child was wanted and the abortion is seen at best as 'mercy killing' of an innocent child, the incidence of severe depression following a selective abortion is about 92 percent among the mothers, and 82 percent among the fathers." ABSNM, 176.
Many children are unwanted only during a temporary hormonal change.

017) "Indeed, the emotions surrounding rape and abortion are so nearly identical that abortion is almost certain to reinforce negative attitudes. Like rape, abortion accentuates feelings of guilt, lowered self-esteem, feelings of being sexually violated, feelings of having lost control or of being controlled by circumstances, suspicion of males, sexual coldness, and so on. Abortion of pregnant rape victims, then, tends only to rein-force these negative feelings and does nothing to promote the inner
reconciliation which is so desperately needed. Encouraging a woman to vent her displaced anger in 'revenge' against her unborn child only impacts negative and self-destructive attitudes into her psyche." ABSNM, 198.

018) "Several researchers show that many aborters may never want intercourse again and many are forever frigid. Thus, they may never connect with love and marriage.

019) "An analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of U.S. Youth of a total of 5295 women in 1987 who were assessed for well-being based upon self-report found that women with repeat abortions were significantly more likely to say that they did not have much to be proud of than were women who had either one or no abortions." N. Russo and K. L. Zierk, "Abortion, Childbearing and Women's Well-Being," Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 23, 1992, 269-280, quoted in Strahan, NAIRVSC, Winter 1993, 1.

020) "A Danish study during 1973 - 74 of psychiatric hospital admissions based upon an age adjusted percentage found that the psychiatric hospital admission rate was 1.9% for women with no prior abortions, 3.4% for women with one prior abortion, 4.1% for women with two prior abortions, and 6.0% for women with three prior abortions." Teenage aborters had 2.9 times the rate of psychiatric admissions compared with teenage women in general. (R. L. Somers, "Risk of Admission to Psychiatric Institutions among Danish Women Who Experienced Induced Abortion: An Analysis
Based Upon Record Linkage," (Ph.D. thesis., UCLA, 1979), 41, quoted in Strahan, NAIRVSC, Winter 1993, 4.)

021) This study (Douglas Brown, T. E. Elkins, and David B. Larson, "Prolonged Grieving after Abortion," The Journal of Clinical Ethics (Summer 1993): 118-123, quoted in "Strahan, NAIRVSC, May/June 1997, 6, 7.) was not scientific. Nonetheless, in that it shows considerable negative sequelae of a large percentage of participants, it is not inconsequential, but important.

022) "Among the invitees [to the study] was the pastor of a large Protestant congregation in Florida which was predominantly white, urban and middle- to upper-class. After informing a Sunday gathering, which included 1,600 to 2,000 women, the pastor asked for descriptive letters from women who had negative experiences that they perceived to be linked with a past abortion. One week later, 61 replies, mostly anonymously forwarded through the mail, had arrived. Of these replies, 5 came from
significant others (2 husbands, 2 sisters and 1 parent) and 11 letters were too brief to be useful. The remaining 45 letters were analyzed and published. Douglas Brown, T. E. Elkins, and David B. Larson, "Prolonged Grieving after Abortion," The Journal of Clinical Ethics (Summer 1993): 118-123, quoted in "Strahan, NAIRVSC, May/June 1997, 6, 7.

023) The ages of the women ranged from 25 to over 60 years, and 87% of those who mentioned their age were less than 40 years old. The age at the time of their abortion ranged from 16 to their early 40's, and 81% had undergone first-trimester abortions. . . . Of the 45 respondents, 64% spoke of more than incidental and transient grief immediately after the procedure, and 42% reported negative emotional sequelae endured over 10 years. One woman endured such experiences for 60 years." Douglas Brown, T. E. Elkins, and David B. Larson, "Prolonged Grieving after Abortion," The Journal of Clinical Ethics (Summer 1993): 118-123, quoted in "Strahan, NAIRVSC, May/June 1997, 6, 7.

024) "The most frequently mentioned long-term experience was the continued feeling of guilt (73.3%). Fantasizing about the aborted fetus was the second most frequently mentioned (57.8%). . . .Suicide ideation (15.5%), recurrent nightmares (13.3%), marital discord (15.5%), phobic responses to infants (13.3%), fear of men (8.9%) and disinterest in sex (6.7%) were also listed as negative sequelae. Douglas Brown, T. E. Elkins, and David B. Larson, "Prolonged Grieving after Abortion," The Journal
of Clinical Ethics (Summer 1993): 118-123, quoted in "Strahan, NAIRVSC, May/June 1997, 6, 7.

025) Many of the respondents said they were writing the most difficult letter they had ever written, and half referred to their abortions as murder. Others used such phrases as 'a horrid mistake,' 'my worse experience,' 'a living hell.' . . . Unavoidable reminders such as Mother's Day, receiving news of a friend's pregnancy, being invited to a baby shower, seeing children on a playground and planning a birthday for their own children kept many of these women moving from one painful fantasy to the next." Douglas Brown, T. E. Elkins, and David B. Larson, "Prolonged Grieving after Abortion," The
Journal of Clinical Ethics (Summer 1993): 118-123, quoted in "Strahan, NAIRVSC, May/June 1997, 6, 7.

026) "Abortion Decision-Making: Anticipatory distress in women prior to abortion which may be marked by anxiety, depression or denial is frequently present in women seeking abortion. Distress may arise from grief reactions which appear to be initiated by the decision to terminate a pregnancy by abortion. This temporary depression, distress or denial will impair rational decision-making ability and the woman may be unable to fully comprehend the necessary information on risks or alternatives
which interferes with the legal requirement of informed consent. The degree of emotional and social support is an important factor as to whether or not a pregnancy is carried to term or abortion takes place. Boy friends or husbands frequently instigate the decision for abortion or urge or encourage abortion or act with indifference which is likely to result in a stressful crisis situation for the prospective mother." MAB, ii-v.

027) ". . . post abortion syndrome is a type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder composed or the following basic components (a) exposure to or participation in abortion experience, which is perceived as the traumatic and intentional destruction of one's unborn child; (b) uncontrolled negative reexperienceing of the abortion event; (c) unsuccessful attempts to avoid or deny painful abortion recollections, resulting in reduced responsiveness; and (d) experiencing associated symptoms not present before the abortion, including guilt and surviving.Anne C. Speckhard and Vincent M. Rue,
"Post Abortion Syndrome: An Emerging Public Health Concern," Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 48(3) (1992): 95-119, quoted in MAB, 44.

028) "[In] A study of 68 religiously oriented, primarily Protestant women who were studied 10 - 15 years post-abortion, 76% reported depression as one of the emotional effects of abortion" Jeanette Vought, Post-Abortion Trauma (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), quoted in MAB, 53.

029) "A 1987 survey of 100 women an average of 11 years post-abortion who were contacted through state Women Exploited by Abortion Chapters found that only 54% felt they had fully reconciled their abortion experience; 62% experienced the majority of their negative experience one year or more postabortion; 97% regretted having the abortion; 62% said they felt more callused and hardened; 70% felt a need to stifle feelings; 45% said they had feelings of relief after abortion; 42% became sexually
promiscuous; 50% reported aversion to sexual intercourse or sexual unresponsiveness; 54% thought the abortion choice was inconsistent with their own ideals; 64% ended the relationship with their sexual partner following the abortion (41% within one month, 9% within six months, 14% within one year); 13% were later hospitalized for psychological treatment due to the abortion." David C. Reardon, A Survey of Post-Abortion Reactions (Springfield, IL: The Elliot Institute, 1987), quoted in MAB, 55.

030) "A 1987 survey of 100 women an average of 11 years post-abortion who were contacted through state Women Exploited by Abortion chapters found that only 54% felt they had fully reconciled their abortion experience; 62% experienced the majority of their negative experience one year or more postabortion; 97% regretted having the abortion; 62% said they felt more callused and hardened; 70% felt a need to stifle feelings; 45% said they had feelings of relief after abortion; 42% became sexually
promiscuous; 50% reported aversion to sexual intercourse or sexual unresponsiveness; 54% thought the abortion choice was inconsistent with their own ideals; 64% ended the relationship with their sexual partner following the abortion (41% within one month, 9% more within 6 months and 14% more within one year)." David C. Reardon, "A Survey of Post-Abortion Reactions."

031) "A Finnish study compared women seeking their second abortion to women who had successfully contracepted after their first abortion. Repeaters rated lower in control of impulsivity, emotional balance, realism, self-esteem and stability of life as well as reflecting a lesser capacity for integrated personal relationships. Repeating women more often had a history of broken legalized or non-legalized partner relationships. Partners of repeaters took less responsibility for contraception even though the women had left them greater responsibility in this respect. Solidarity with partners was
weaker in the repeaters even though the women felt greater admiration for their partners. Repeating women were less mature and more impulsive, indicating a 'split' mechanism and immaturity of ego development which verged on a borderline level disturbance." P. Niemela, et al., "The First Abortion and the Last? A Study of the Personality Factors Underlying Failure of Contraception," International Journal of Gynaecol. Obstet., 19 (1981): 93-200.

032) "A study of 3,222 female residents in Southern Japan in 1971, based upon a mailed questionnaire, found that women perceived menses to occur more frequently and be of shorter duration as the number of reported prior abortions increased. 'Nervousness increased as number of prior abortions increased: 150/1,000 women (no prior abortion); 228/1,000 (one prior abortion); 256/1,000 (two or more prior abortions)." L.H. Roht, M.A. Fanner, H. Aoyama and E. Fonner, "Increased
Reporting of Menstrual Symptoms Among Women Who Used Induced Abortion," Am. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 15 February 1977, 356-362.

033) "A study of 80 women (3-5 years post-abortion) who had abortions at a Baltimore area clinic in 1984-86 using the Millon clinical Multi-Axial Inventory (MCMI) found that women had significantly higher scores in areas of histrionic, narcissistic and anti-social characteristics compared to the sample on which the test had been normed. They also exhibited higher levels of anxiety and paranoia." Catherine A. Barnes, The Long Term Psychological Effects of Abortion, (Institute For Pregnancy Loss:
Portsmouth N.H., 1990). Also see "Stress Reactions in Women Related to Induced Abortion," Association For Interdisciplinary Research Newsletter, 3(4) (Winter 1991), 1-3.

034) "A study of the Danish Central Psychiatric Register of all women who had been admitted between April 1, 1973 and December 31, 1975 found that psychiatric admissions increased with the self-reported number of past abortions (no abortions, 1.90%; one abortion, 3.4%; two abortions, 4.0%; three abortions, 6.0%). No such increase was observed as number of live births increased; women aged 35-39 with two or more abortions had higher rates of psychiatric admission than younger women with
two or more abortions." Ronald Somers, Ph.D. "Risk of Admission to Psychiatric Institutions Among Danish Women Who Experienced Induced Abortion: An Analysis Based Upon Record Linkage," (diss, University of California, Los Angeles, 1979).

035) "Among women with 2 or more abortions, the rate of psychiatric admissions among women 35-39 (approx. 9%) was about 4 times higher than women 25-29 years of age (approx. 2.3%) and 8-18 times higher than women 20-24 years of age (0.5-1.1%) during 1973-1975." Ronald L. Somers, Ph.D., "Risk of Admission to Psychiatric Institutions Among Danish Women Who Experience Induced Abortion," (Thesis, UCLA, 1979).

036) "An immature teenager is especially vulnerable as she values her pregnancy and is given an abortion under pressure. She is very likely (a) to develop severe postoperative depression which necessitates working through her loss as if after a bereavement; (b) to withdraw from her peers and completely isolate herself; (c) to deny the reality of her pregnancy and abortion; (d) to develop depressive equivalents, e.g., acting-out, difficulties at school, anti-social and aggressive behavior; (e) to run away from school and/or home or university; (f) to attempt to commit and occasionally succeed in committing suicide (these girls are said to become accident prone and may resort to alcohol, drugs or self-mutilation); (g) to identify with the fetus and become ridden with guilt, shame and rage toward herself, her parents, her sexual partner, the doctor and the hospital. Joyce Dunlop, "Counseling of Patients Requesting an Abortion," The Practitioner, June 1978, 847-852, quoted in MAB, 58.

037) "Anxiety or Self-Punishing Behavior: There is growing evidence that women who have induced abortions will frequently exhibit a high level of anxiety, may fear they will be punished or deserve punishment, show paranoid behavior or fear of death. This may manifest itself in a number of contexts, such as fear of a dead child or deformed child in a subsequent pregnancy or self-destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse or suicide attempts." MAB, ii-v.

038) "Even brief exposure to this population should serve to convince the skeptic that the frequent reports of insomnia, somatic complaints, intense anxiety, depressive feelings, suicide ideation and intense preoccupation with the problem of getting rid of the unwanted pregnancy define a population of people in crisis. Edward Senay, "Therapeutic Abortion: Clinical Aspects," Archives of General Psychiatry, November 1970, 408-415, quoted in MAB, 3.

039) "Forty-one medically indigent black women, unmarried and pregnant, ages 15 - 23, were studied. . . . In the study, deep regret was reported by 14.6%, some regret by 34.1%, a little regret by 19.5% and no regret by 31.7% on year post-abortion. Twenty-two percent stated they would not repeat their abortion; 14.4% probably not; 29.3% probably would and 24.4% definitely would." James M. Robbins, "Objective Versus Subjective Responses to Abortion," Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, 47(5) (1979): 994-995, quoted in MAB, 57.

040) "Impact on Men: The impact of induced abortion on men has been greatly neglected and there is little available literature on the subject. It appears from what is known that [there is] the reaction of guilt, sense of loss, regret, sadness or perhaps coldness or real or apparent indifference. Where abortion takes place despite the male objections, men may report a tremendous sense of helplessness. There is evidence that men may suppress their reactions to abortion to a greater degree than women." MAB, iiv.

041) "Impact on Siblings: The impact of induced abortion on siblings in a family has been little studied. Small children are surprisingly aware of a pregnancy or abortion even when told nothing about it. Reactions of sibling to an abortion may be very severe. Fear of the mother, afraid of the world in general, self-blame, violent acting-out, despair and self-destructive behavior have been noted in various case studies." MAB, ii-v.

042) "In a 1987 'Survey of Postabortion' reactions among 100 women members of Women Exploited by Abortion and average of 11 years since their abortion, 87% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, 'After my abortion I experienced feelings of depression.' Fifty per cent of these women were 20 years or younger at the time of their abortion. David C. Reardon, A Survey of Postabortion Reactions,(Springfield, IL: The Elliot Institute for Social Science Research, 1987), quoted in MAB, 53.

043) "In a British study of marital adjustment 3 months post abortion, 42% of the women said they were less close to their sexual partners vs. 22% who said they were more close. Unsatisfactory or mediocre marital adjustment before the abortion increased the likelihood of marital or sexual adjustment problems following the abortion." ElM. Belsey, H. Green, S. Lal, S. Lewis and R.W. Beard, "Predictive Factors in Emotional response to Abortion: Kind's Termination Study-IV," Social Science and Medicine, 11 (1977): 71-82.

044) "In a detailed study of 252 women with prior abortions who are members of Women Exploited by Abortion, approximately 10 years after their abortion, 95% were now dissatisfied with the abortion
choice and 94% attributed negative psychological effects to their abortion." ABSNM

045) "In a Michigan study of 125 women who applied to be commercial surrogates, 35% either had a voluntary prior abortion (26%) or had relinquished a child for adoption (9%). Women felt, often unconsciously, that surrogate motherhood would help them master unresolved feelings through previous voluntary loss. Women stated, 'It would be their baby, not mine'; I'd be nest watching; and, I'll attach myself in a different way-hoping it's healthy.'" Philip Parker, "Motivation of Surrogate Mothers:
Initial Findings," American Journal of Psychiatry, January 1983, 117-118.

046) "In a random telephone survey conducted in March, 1989 by Los Angeles Times of 2533 women, 8% acknowledged having had at least one abortion. One out of 5 women said they had never told anyone about it before talking to the interviewer; 56% of the women had a sense of guilt about the abortion and 26% said they now mostly regretted the abortion. Only 39% of the women thought abortion 'morally right' and approximately one-third agreed that 'abortion is murder. 'G. Skelton, "Many in Survey Who Had Abortion Cite Guilt Feelings," Los Angeles Times, 19 March 1989, 28, quoted in MAB, 56.

047) "In a study of 100 women at a private clinic at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 75% of the women were married or had long-term ongoing relationships. All had knowledge about contraception and had easy access to medical care; 66% had at least a college degree; 71% were employed full-time; 57% had incomes over $20,000 per year; 81% had one abortion, 14% (two) and 5% (three); one-third had a pregnancy before abortion, one-third had a child since aborting, and for one-third the abortion was their sole obstetrical history. Some 46% agreed that the abortion was a major crisis in their lives.
Most women experienced loss and grief rather than joy and freedom. Relationships were suddenly and unexpectedly shaken. Some 48% believed their relationship with their male partner was significantly altered (approximately equally split positive and negative); 33% felt their sexual life was negatively affected to some degree; 52% were reluctant to tell people they had an abortion. Sadness, a sense of loss or emptiness, guilt, anger, anxiety and/or confusion was recalled by many. None ever expressed joy. Residual emotions diminished with time. Women...with previous abortions more frequently expressed abortion as a form of infanticide." David H. Sherman et al., "The Abortion Experience in Private Practice," quoted in William F. Finn et al. ed., "Women and Loss: Psychobiological Perspectives," The Foundation of Thanatology Series, (Praeger Publishing: New York, 1985) Vol. 3, 98-107.

048) "In a study of 26 families at Yale New Haven Hospital in 1979-1982, in which mothers underwent abortion because of a serious defect in the unborn child, it represented a difficult and painful chapter of their lives. Fathers were particularly adversely impacted. Nineteen out of 22 children in the families studied had mild to severe reactions based upon observations of the parents." R. Furlong and R. Black, "Pregnancy Termination for Genetic Indications: The Impact on families," Social Work
in Health Care, Fall 1984, 17.

049) "In a study of 30 women stressed by abortion after 5-10 years following their abortion, women reported feelings of sadness, regret, remorse or a sense of loss (100 percent); feelings of depression (92 percent); feelings of anger (92 percent); feelings of guilt (92 percent); fear that others would learn of the pregnancy and abortion experience (89 percent); surprise at the intensity of the emotional reaction to the abortion (85 percent); feelings of lowered self-worth (81 percent); feelings of victimization (81 percent); preoccupation with the characteristics of the aborted child (81 percent); feelings of depressed effect or suppressed ability to experience pain (73 percent); and feelings of discomfort around infants and small children (73 percent). In this study the most common behavioral reactions included frequent crying (81 percent); inability to communicate with others concerning the pregnancy and abortion
experience (77 percent); flashbacks of the abortion experience (73 percent); sexual inhibition (69 percent); suicide ideation (65 percent) and increased alcohol use (61 percent)." PSSFA

050) "In a study of 30 women who reported chronic and long term stress from their abortion 92% expressed feelings of depression following abortion. Fifty per cent of these women had their abortion in the second trimester (46%) or third trimester (4%) of their pregnancy. The majority (64%) had their abortion 5 - 10 years previously, 20% were less than 5 years and 16% ranged from 11 - 25 years post abortion. PSSFA, quoted in MAB, 53.

051) "In a study of 344 postabortal women an average of 6 years following their abortion, 66% expressed guilt, 54% expressed regret or remorse, 46% had an inability to forgive self, 57% reported crying or depression, 38% reported lower self-esteem and 36 % reported anger or rage." L.H. Gsellman, "Physical and Psychological Injury Following Abortion: Akron Pregnancy Services Survey," Association For Interdisciplinary Research Newsletter, September/October 1993, 1-8.

052) "In a study of 68 religiously oriented Minnesota women (primarily Evangelical and Lutheran), 10-15 years post-abortion, 90% reported guilt and shame related to their abortion, 74% feelings of isolation, 60% expressed anger toward others, 24% were more fearful of sexual intercourse after their abortion, 31% tried to avoid pregnant women, 53% said they desired to get pregnant again to compensate for their loss; 76% suffered from depression, 78% struggled with low self-esteem and 49% said they felt alienated from God." Jeanette Vought, Post-Abortion Trauma, 9 Steps to Recovery
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan , 1991).

053) "In a study of repeat abortion patients in the Atlanta area, 21% of the repeat aborters vs. 8% of the first-time aborters reported they had no religious affiliation. The disparity was especially striking in the private clinic population, among whom eight times as many repeat abortion patients as first-time aborters said they had no religious affiliation (20% vs. 2.5%)." Judith Leach, "The Repeat Abortion Patient," Family Planning Perspectives, January/February 1977.

054) "In an investigation of abortion facilities a Miami Herald reporter posing as a potential client in a Florida abortion clinic said 'What about the baby. I'm worried about hurting the baby.' 'What baby,' answered the clinic owner. There's just two periods there that will be cleared out.' 'You mean I'm not pregnant?' Oh, you're pregnant. But there is no baby there . . . two periods and some water. If you don't terminate, then it will become a fetus, and after birth it will become a baby.' Sontag, "An Abortion,"
Miami Herald, 17 September 1989, Topic at p. 14., quoted in MAB, 41.) The patient, if she aborts, learns the truth: she could be psychologically damaged.

055) "Repeat abortion patients are more often dissatisfied with themselves, more often perceive themselves as victims of bad luck, and more frequently express negative feelings toward the current abortion than women who are obtaining abortions for the first time." Judith Leach, "The Repeat Abortion Patient," Family Planning Perspectives, January/February 1977, 37-39.

056) "Repeat abortion patients showed significantly higher distress scores on interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, phobic anxiety and sleep disturbance, compared with controls. Repeaters also showed a trend in higher scores in somatization, hostility and psychoticism." Ellen Freeman, "Emotional Distress Patterns among Women having First or repeat Abortions," Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 1980, 630-636.

057) "Some 157 South African women were studied 12 - 18 months post-abortion and compared with those who had presented for abortion and were refused. Aborted women admitted to greater social isolation, more adverse personality change, greater increase in use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs and psychiatric problems than comparison group.S. A. Drowner and E. S. Nash, "Therapeutic Abortion on
Psychiatric Grounds," South Africa Med. J. 54 (1978): 604-608, quoted in MAB 54-55.

058) "Some 18.8% of women who had undergone induced abortion 3 - 5 years previously reported all Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome criteria (DSM-III R). Some 39 - 45% of all women still had sleep disorders, hyper-vigilance and flashbacks of the abortion experience. Some 16.9% had high intrusion scores and 23.4% had high avoidance scores on the Impact of Events Scale. Women showed elevated scores on the MCMI test in areas of histrionic, anti-social narcissism, paranoid personality disorder and elevated anxiety compared with the sample on which the test had been normed." Catherine A. Barnard, The Long-Term Psycho-social Effects of Abortion, (Portsmouth, NH: Institute For Pregnancy Loss, 1990), quoted in MAB, 44.

059) "Some 413 women between the ages of 14-40 who underwent first trimester abortions at the university of Pennsylvania in 1977-78 were rated on emotional symptoms on pre-abortion and postabortion tests. Some 35% of the women were repeating abortions. Seventy percent of the women undergoing a first abortion were black and 93% of the women undergoing a repeat abortion were black. Post-abortion scores of emotional distress of repeat abortion patients compared with women
who had a first-time abortion were significantly higher on interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, phobic anxiety and sleep disturbance." E. Freeman, et al., "Emotional Distress Patterns Among Women Having First or Repeat Abortions," Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 1980, 630.

060) "Some 77% of the women studied experienced an acute grief reaction. Some 46% still remained symptomatic after six months, some requiring psychiatric support. Several would have liked burial or some recognition of death. Several had problems severe enough to influence reproductive behavior." J. Lloyd and K.M. Laurence, "Sequelae and Support After Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Malformation," British Medical Journal, March 1985, 907-909.

061) "Stresses attendant to selective termination produce undesirable marital consequences that threatened marital stability." B. Blumberg, M. Golbus and K. Hanson, "The Psychological Sequelae of Abortion Performed for a Genetic Indication," Am. J. of Obstet and Gynecol, 1 August 1975, 799-808.

062) "The author, a social worker at a London hospital, interviewed more than 1,000 women with crisis pregnancies. Several in-depth case histories are reported. Repeaters were variously described as 'chaotic, childlike' (a woman who had 15 abortions in 23 years); 'doll-like' (history of numerous suicide attempts); holding 'anxiety, rage and confusion' over mother's mental illness; 'a delicate child-woman 16 years old with very little human warmth, depressed'; 'cold and detached with little feeling'; 'a suicidal woman with a history of three abortions, a first suicide attempt at age 15 and the most recent one at age 27, only six weeks ago, drug overdoses, anorexia nervosa and hospitalization for psychiatric treatment.' Women had shallow relationships with putative fathers and seemed to select male partners known to be objectionable to the repeaters' parents. Unconscious conflicts and lack of nurturing in family or origin were typical. Relationships with male partners usually terminated following abortion. Repeaters were irregular in keeping appointments and in completing therapy. Some called their unborn child 'monster.' The author concluded that repeat abortions are both an individual and social problem with physical and emotional suffering as well as a strain on medical and counseling resources." Susan Fisher, "Reflections on Repeated Abortions: The Meanings and Motivations," Journal of Social Work Practice, May 1986, 70-87.

063) "The significance of abortions may not be revealed until later periods of emotional depression. During depressions occurring in the fifth or sixth decades of the patient's life, the psychiatrist frequently hears expressions of remorse and guilt concerning abortions that occurred twenty or more years earlier. W. L. Sands, "Psychiatric history and mental status," Diagnosing Mental Illness: Evaluation in Psychiatry and Psychology (Kaplan, NY: Anthenum, 1973) 31, quoted in MAB, 53.

064) "Thirty-eight of fifty girls were studied via a questionnaire and interview with a psychiatrist and social worker. Most of the girls (26 out of 38) thought the abortion was a positive experience, but when asked whether they would repeat the experience, 66% said no. Thirty-seven percent of the girls' fathers were absent by death or separation. Thirty-seven percent of the girls broke up with the putative fathers following abortion. Nine of the 50 girls were pregnant. Of the 12 girls who did not participate, 42% had left home. The author suggested 'a high degree of emotional disturbance for the 'repeaters.' H. Cvejic, I. Lipper, R. Kinch and P. Benjamin, "Follow-Up of 50 Adolescent Girls Two Years After Abortions," CMA Journal, 8 January 1977, 44-46, quoted in MAB, 58.

065) "This study found elevated MMPI scores for women obtaining abortions in several categories, compared with controls. Masochistic behavioral patterns and a rejection of the maternal role were frequently reported in the abortion group." C. Ford, P. Castelnuovo-Tedesco and K. Long, "Women Who Seek Therapeutic Abortion: A Comparison with Women Who Complete Their Pregnancies," American Journal of Psychiatry, November 1972, 58-64.

066) "Those applying to be surrogate mothers included a substantial number of women with unresolved psychological problems from a prior induced abortion." Philip G. Parker, "Motivation of Surrogate Mothers: Initial Findings," American Journal of Psychiatry, January 1983, 117-118.

067) "Washington: American Institute for Research. A threefold increase in previous psychiatric consultations was found in women seeking repeat abortions compared with maternity patients." W. Pasini and J. Kellerhals, Proceeding of the Conference on Psycho-Social Factors in Transnational Family Planning Research, 1970, 44-54.

068) "A Denmark study found that 2% of uninfected post abortion women and 12% of post abortion women infected with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) had chronic pelvic pain. [Lars Heisterberg, S. Hebjorn, and L.F. Anderson, "Sequelae of Induced First-Trimester Abortion," Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 155:1986, 76 - 80. A Swedish study of 382 women 5 - 6 years post abortion found that 2% of uninfected women had chronic pelvic pain, while 20% of post abortion women infected with PID had
chronic pelvic pain. [Lars Heisterberg, "Factors Influencing Spontaneous Abortion, Dyspareunia, Dysmenorrhea, and Pelvic Pain, Obstet. Gynecol. 81:1993, 594-597. From "Lack of Individualized Counseling Regarding Risk Factors For Induced Abortion: A Violation of Informed Consent, Part 2," NAIRVSC, September/October 1996, 4.

069) Chronic pelvic or abdominal pain can be very serious and be accompanied by many other adverse effects. Women with abdominal pelvic pain syndrome have been found to be significantly more anxious, depressed, and hostile, and have more somatic symptoms than other patients. [J.C. Slocumb et al., "Anxiety and Depression in Patients with the Abdominal Pelvic Pain Syndrome," General Hospital Psychiatry, 11:1989, 48 - 53]. Other research concluded these women exhibited significantly higher prevalence of major depression, substance abuse, adult sexual dysfunction, somatization, and history of childhood and adult sexual abuse than a comparison group. [E. Walker et al.,, "Relationships of Chronic Pelvic Pain to Psychiatric Diagnosis and Childhood Sexual Abuse," Am. J. Psychiatry, 145:1988, 75]. Another study found that they are more likely to use dissociation as a coping mechanism, to show current psychological distress, to see themselves as medically disabled, and to experience vocational and social problems. [E. A. Walker, "Dissociation in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain," Am. J. Psychiatry, 149:1992, 534-537]. Chronic abdominal or pelvic pain can be long lasting. A Danish study found that only 31% of abdominal pain disappeared over a period of 5 years [L. Kay, T. Jorgensen, K.H. Jensen, "Epidemiology of Abdominal Symptoms in a Random Population: Prevalence, Incidence, and Natural History," Eur. J. Epidemiology, October 1994, 559].
Some women are hospitalized [P. Velebil et al., "Rate of Hospitalization for Gynecological Disorders Among Reproductive-Age Women in the United States," Obstet. Gynecol. 86:1995, 764-769] for abdominal or pelvic pain or seek treatment at emergency rooms of hospitals [T.W. Lukens, C. Emerman, and D. Effron, "The Nature History and Clinical Findings in Undifferentiated Abdominal Pain," Annals of Emergency Medicine, April 1993, 690]. Psychiatric counseling or treatment has not been successful in stopping the pain [G. T. Koopmans et al., "Effects of Psychiatric Consultation of Medical Consumption in Medical Outpatients with Abdominal Pain," Psychosomatics, 36:1995, 387-399]. Sometimes doctors will have women undergo a hysterectomy to attempt to eliminate the pain, but again this method is not effective." From "Lack of Individualized Counseling Regarding Risk Factors For Induced Abortion: A Violation of Informed Consent, Part 2," NAIRVSC, September/October 1996, 4.

070) ". . . For example, as abortion is repeated, studies have reported that there is a 2 -3 fold increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, [A. Levin et al., "Ectopic Pregnancy and Prior Induced Abortion," Am. J. Public Health. March 1982, 253-256, and J.R. Daling et al., "Ectopic Pregnancy in Relation to Previous Induced Abortion," JAMA, 15 February 1985, 1005-1008] low birth weight, miscarriage [5 sources: Susan Harlap et al., "A Prospective Study of Spontaneous Fetal Losses After Induced Abortion," New England J. of Medicine, 27 September1979, 677, and Ann Levin, "Association of Abortion with Subsequent Pregnancy Loss," JAMA, 27 June 1980, 2495-2499, and E. Obel, "Pregnancy Complications Following Legally Induced Abortion with Special Reference to Abortion Technique," Acta Ogstet. Gynecol. Scand., 58:1979, 147, and L.H. Roht et al., "The Association with Multiple Induced Abortions with Subsequent Prematurity and Spontaneous Abortion," Acta Obstet. Gynecol., 23:1976, 140-145, and M.T. Mandelson et al., "Low Birth Weight in Relation to Multiple Induced Abortions," Am. J. Public Health, March 1992, 391, and World Health Organization "Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction: Seventh Annual Report," Geneva, November 1978 summarized as "Repeat Abortions Increase Risk of Miscarriage, Premature Birth and Low Birthweight Babies," Family Planning Perspectives, January/February 1979, 39-40] or childbirth complications [A. Lopes, P.A. King, and Aust. NZ, "The Impact of Multiple Induced Abortions on the Outcome of Subsequent Pregnancy," Obstet. Gynaecol. 31(1):1991, 41] in subsequent pregnancies compared to no abortions or one abortion. From "Lack of Individualized Counseling Regarding Risk Factors For Induced Abortion: A Violation of Informed Consent, Part 2," NAIRVSC, September/October 1996, 5.

071) "As abortion is repeated women tend to be increasingly alienated in various ways. Various research studies have found that there is increased likelihood of women being isolated and they are more likely to have poorer interpersonal relationships [E. Freeman et al., "Emotional Distress Patterns Among Women Having First or Repeat Abortions," Obstet. Gynecol, May 1980, 630], have more broken relationships with their male partner [P. Niemala et al., "The First Abortion and the Last? A Study of the Personality Factors Underlying Failure of Contraception," Int'l J. Gynaecol. Obstet.., 19:1981, 193], or report having no male partner [M. Osler et al., "Repeat Abortion in Denmark," Danish Medical Bulletin, February 1992, 89]. They are also more likely to have been divorced [M.J. Shepard, M.B. Bracken, "Contraceptive Practice and Repeat Induced Abortion: An Epidemiological Investigation," Biosocial Science, 11:1979, 289], and are more likely to report being in unhappy marriages [E. Szabady and A. Klinger, "Pilot Surveys of Repeated Abortion," International Mental Health Newsletter,14:1972, 6]. From "Lack of Individualized Counseling Regarding Risk Factors For Induced Abortion: A Violation of Informed Consent, Part 2," NAIRVSC, September/October 1996, 5.

072) A study of women in Atlanta, Georgia found that women repeating abortion were less likely to report a religious affiliation compared to women with one abortion [Judith Leach, "The Repeat Abortion Patient," Family Planning Perspectives, January/February 1977, 37?]. A Danish study found that women who repeat abortion have been found to increasingly be admitted to a hospital for psychiatric care, while the same study found that this was not the case for increasing numbers of childbirths [Ronald Somers, "Risk of Admission to Psychiatric Institutions Among Danish Women Who Experienced Abortion: An Analysis Based Upon Record Linkage," Dissertation Abstracts Int'l, 1979, 2621-B]. A study of women in a post-abortion support group at the Medical College of Ohio who reported poorly assimilating their abortion experience(s), found that those who had repeated abortion were more likely to be depressed and more likely to have considered or attempted suicide than women reporting a single abortion [K.N. Franco et al., "Psychological Profile of Dysphoric women Postabortion," J. of the American Medical Women's Asso., July/August 1989, 113]. A Greek study found that women repeating abortion are more likely to evidence symptoms of grieving and mourning [D. Naziri and A. Tzavaras, "Mourning and Guilt Among Greek women Having Repeated Abortions," Omega, 26(2):1992-1993, 137]. "From "Lack of Individualized Counseling Regarding Risk Factors For Induced Abortion: A Violation of Informed Consent, Part 2," NAIRVSC, September/October 1996, 5.

073) "None of the abortion clinic informational or consent forms advise women of the possibility of long term negative psychological effects from abortion. However, since 1987, there have been published at least three books which include data-based studies on long term negative psychological effects [Anne C. Speckhard, "The Psycho-Social Aspects of Stress Following Abortion" (1987) and David Reardon, "Aborted Women: Silent No More" (1987) and Jeanette Vought, "Post-Abortion Trauma, 9 Steps to Recovery"], several articles in medical or social journals [Four sources: K.N. Franco et al., "Psychological Profile of Dysphoric Women Postabortion," J. of the American Medical Women's Association, July/August 1989, 113, and Anne Speckhard and Vincent Rue, "Post Abortion Syndrome: An Emerging Public Health Concern, Journal of Social Issues, 48(3):1992, 95, and R. C.
Erickson, "Abortion Trauma: Application of a conflict Model," Pre and Perinatal Psychology Journal, Fall 1993, 33, and R. Fisch and O. Tadmore, "Iatrogenic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" letter, The Lancet, 9 December 1989, 1397] four doctoral dissertations, and at least two presentations made to professional organizations on long-term negative psychological effects [See generally /Major Articles and Books concerning the Detrimental Effects of Abortion/, Rutherford Institute: Charlottesville, VA (1993)].
One study by researchers at the Medical College of Ohio was on women in a post-abortion support group who had abortions 1 - 15 years previously, and reported they had poorly assimilated their abortion experience. It was found that many women were ambivalent at the time of their abortion. Many felt coerced by boyfriends, doctors, or parents. Anxiety, somotoform disorders and dysthymia were prominent among the group. 48% had undergone psychotherapy after their abortion and a significant number had suicidal thoughts or suicidal attempts after their abortion. Anniversary reactions were clearly reported by 42% of the group. Those with multiple abortions evidenced more severe pathology than women with a single abortion [K.N. Franco et al., "Psychological Profile of Dysphoric women Postabortion," J. of the American Medical Women's Asso., July/August 1989,113].
From "Lack of Individualized Counseling Regarding Risk Factors For Induced Abortion: A Violation of Informed Consent, Part 2," NAIRVSC, September/October 1996, 6.

074) Another study which limited itself to women with only one abortion and no other identifiable trauma within 5 years, found severe grief reactions to be present in women an average of 11 years post abortion (1 - 26 year range) [Gail Barger Williams, "Induced Elective Abortion and Perinatal Grief," Dissertation Abstracts Int'l, 53(3):1991, 1296B]. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) attributable to abortion has been found in at least 18.8% of women 3 - 5 years postabortion. (DSM-IIIR criteria) [C. A. Barnard, "The Long Term Psychosocial Effects of Abortion," Institute for Pregnancy Loss: Portsmouth, NH, 1989]. Other studies have found long term guilt, anger or stress, depression, lower self-esteem, suicidal impulses and other long term negative psychological effects [See generally /Major Articles and Books concerning the Detrimental Effects of Abortion/, Rutherford Institute: Charlottesville, VA (1993)]." From "Lack of Individualized Counseling Regarding Risk Factors For Induced Abortion: A Violation of Informed Consent, Part 2," NAIRVSC, September/October 1996, 6.

075) Counselor Laurie Velker says a nonscientific survey she conducted among female inmates in Michigan prisons revealed that "their anger was increased as a result of their abortion. They said they could see an increase in violent behavior after their abortions."

076) Ten years of research in Canada found a strong correlation between child abuse and abortion. Says Dr. Philip Ney of Victoria, British Columbia, "If that instinctual restraint against killing or neglect of one's young is pushed aside once, it's much more easy to do it again."

077) But Dr. Philip Mango, a psychotherapist with 30 years experience in individual and marital therapy, says "any honest clinician or researcher will come to the conclusion that large numbers of women who have had abortions, whether they believe in God or not, develop self-destructive behaviors."

078) "Women with a history of abortion are more likely to experience depression than women who give birth, especially if they had negative feelings about the abortion or felt that they had no control over the abortion decision." C. F. Bradley, "Abortion and Subsequent Pregnancy Loss," Canadian J. Psychiatry, 28:494-498, Oct. 1984, quoted in Amy R. Sobie, "The Risks of Choice," The Post-Abortion Review, July-Sept. 2000, 4.

079) "And a Danish study found that overall, women with a history of abortion had a 50 percent higher rate of admission to psychiatric hospitals than did women who had live born children." H. David, N. Rasmussen and E. Holst, "Postpartum and Postabortion Psychotic Reactions," Family Planning Perspectives, 13(2), March/April 1981, 8892, quoted in Amy R. Sobie, "The Risks of Choice," The Post-Abortion Review, July-Sept. 2000, 4.

080) "Another study (see Figure 3) found that while there was no significant difference in psychological disorders or use of social services between women carrying to term and those seeking abortion for the first time, women who had already had an abortion were almost twice as likely to have psychological disorders or to have had contact with the social service system." Tornbom, M., et al., "Repeat Abortion: A Comparative Study," Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 17:208-214, 1996, quoted in Amy R. Sobie, "The Risks of Choice," The Post-Abortion Review, July-Sept. 2000, 4.

081) "Women who undergo abortions are at greater risk for mental health problems in subsequent years, according to a new Elliot Institute study presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society (APS) held this June in Miami Beach, Florida. The study looked at California women who received state funded medical care and who either had an abortion or gave birth in 1989.
Researchers examined the women's medical records for up to six years afterwards and found that women who had undergone abortions had significantly higher mental health claims than women who had given birth. Women who had abortions were more than twice likely to have sought treatment between two and nine times for mental health reasons as women who carried to term." P. K. Coleman & D. Reardon (June 2000), "State-funded abortions vs. deliveries: A comparison of subsequent mental health claims over six years." Poster presented at the American Psychological Society, 12th Annual Convention, Miami, FL, quoted in quoted in "Abortion vs. Childbirth," The Post-Abortion Review, July-Sept. 2000, 7.

Abortion... When is it safe?

Psychological Effects

Copyright ©1996 - 2008 ProChoice.com - All rights reserved - Links to other sites do not constitute approval of their content and are provided as is.
From people who care about you

ProChoice.com

Abortion... When is it safe?

Psychological Effects

Copyright ©1996 - 2008 ProChoice.com - All rights reserved - Links to other sites do not constitute approval of their content and are provided as is. From people who care about you

Copyright ©1996 - 2008 ProChoice.com - All rights reserved - Links to other sites do not constitute approval of their content and are provided as is.
From people who care about you