Studies Show Abortion’s Negative Effects on Mothers

SeaMax News ^ | 2/22/2006 | Jessica Nicholson

[Milltownmalbay]

New studies show that women suffer serious side-effects after aborting a child, says Zenit.org. Many of these side-effects are psychological, and effect woman long after the abortion has taken place.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the “most detailed long-term study to date into the divisive question.” The New Zealand study was done by David Fergusson, who describes himself as “an atheist, a rationalist and pro-choice”. The study tracked 1,265 girls born in the 1970s. 41% of these woman became pregnant by the age of 25, and 14.6% (90 women) sought an abortion. By the age of 25, 42% of those who procured an abortion also experienced a major depression. This number was 35% higher than those who had chosen to continue a pregnancy. The risk of anxiety disorders rose in a similar fashion. A woman who had procured an abortion was twice as likely to drink alcohol at dangerous levels compared to one who continued the pregnancy.

The Washington Times reported a study done by Priscilla Coleman that claimed that woman who aborted has a 144% greater risk of physically abusing their children compared to those who did not terminate their pregnancy. Coleman said that a “good number of women who have abortions” experience bereavement and guilt, which turn to anger.

Coleman also noticed that though women who have miscarriages also experience negative psychological effects, these effects last longer in women who have aborted. A study carried out at the University of Oslo supports this statement. The study looked at 40 women who suffered miscarriages and 80 women who terminated a pregnancy. Researchers questioned the woman at 10 days, six months, two years, and five years after the end of the pregnancy. Woman who had miscarriages suffered more negative effects at the 6 month period. However, those who had an abortion experience more mental distress at the two and five year period.

Abortion also effects having another baby. A French study of 2,837 births found woman who once had an abortion were 1.7 times more likely to give birth to a baby at less than 28 weeks gestation. Babies born at this point die soon after birth, or suffer serious disability if they survive.

The South Dakota Department of Health has accumulated statistics from the year 2003 regarding abortions in the state. In 814 out of the 819 procedures, the only information given to the pregnant mothers about the unborn children was the gestational age of the children. In 813 of the procedures, this information was provided by a recorded statement. Mothers never had a chance to question the doctor. According to witnesses from a Planned Parenthood clinic, the first time the women met their physician was in the procedure room. At that point, the woman has signed a consent form and committed to the procedure.

Selena Ewing, a researcher at the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute, Adelaide, has found that most abortions result from lack of support of pregnant women, from both men and the community. Abortions are also linked with domestic violence.

[JohnnyZ]

I thought you meant it as an argument against it; a 10% chance of complications is not a compelling deterrent to surgical procedures generally

I see the pro-abortion crowd has shown up.

Only one so far .... but just like rats and roaches, where there's one, there may be others!

[apackof2]

I wonder if they're thinking that far into the future

If they aren't telling them this fact could force them to take a look into their future

Really the point is women seeking an abortion most times are under stress and vulnerable and the abortion business takes advantage of it

Women need to know all the facts

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Well, thanks to the pro-abortion forces, we will never know if it might prevent abortions. Information is not something they market in, only fear.

[linda_22003]

I disagree with you there; the fear comes from within the woman herself, when she is in an untenable position. I know of nothing like pregnancy, in that it is the best thing in the world if you want it, and the worst thing in the world if you don't. There is simply no in-between, for most women. Addressing the things that make it untenable can help to obviate the need for abortion, IMHO.

[Reaper FReeper]

Abortion also effects having another baby. A French study of 2,837 births found woman who once had an abortion were 1.7 times more likely to give birth to a baby at less than 28 weeks gestation. Babies born at this point die soon after birth, or suffer serious disability if they survive.

I know I was talking about this same thing with my mother yesterday. I find it amazing what women go through to avoid responsibilities.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

There is fear that resides there, to be certain. But the pro-abortion forces work to bring that fear to a fevered pitch and do not allow things like "facts" to get in the way of fear.

A 10% chance of becoming barren? Not worth noting when your senior year of college is in jeopardy!

A 42% increased chance of major depression in the next decade? Not worth noting when you might have to tell your Dad that Rick and you have been sleeping together!

The fear does not orginate with the pro-abortion people, but they do their darndest to make sure that the fear is the driving force for the decision.

[apackof2]

when she is in an untenable position.

Hmmm I don't think the fact of pregancy is "untenable" in itself

I am a little confused with your postings here

Are you for or against abortion?

[linda_22003]

I don't line up perfectly on either side, so "for or against" is too black and white.

I don't like it; I don't like the fact that people could avoid a lot of their own problems if they took responsibility in advance.

I don't like that a government which supposedly supports individual decision-making makes a big honking exception in this area; I think abortion is a very private decision.

I'd like the problem to go away. I'd like it to be solved. I do not think making it illegal will do that, but it will still satisfy a lot of people because they can then tell themselves it's not happening, because they can't see it as easily. Basically, I think technology will solve the problem long before politics will.

In other words, I'm like a lot of Americans; I don't like it but I'm not willing to just say "ban it, that will solve everything."

[apackof2]

I'm like a lot of Americans

Actually you are in the minority, most Americans don't favor abortion on demand

I remember a time when abortion was illegal and the fact that it was forced some people to be more responsible

Of course morals played a huge role as most people "back in the day" believed in absolutes

Today most people prefer to live in that "grey area' because it gives them license to do what ever they feel like

As as far as, "I do not think making it illegal will do that," won't make all abortions disappear, just like putting bad guys behind bars will stop all crime, but it will sure save a hell of a lot lives so making abortion illegal is the only moral, logical choice to saving innocent lives who had no say in their conception

[linda_22003]

I remember when it was illegal, too. What I remember is that perhaps some were more responsible (how would we know, after all), but some wealthy girls at my prep school just disappeared for a week or two during term, on a sudden foreign vacation.

Women with money have always had, and always will have, choices. I don't think women will ever be prosecuted for a weekend trip to Toronto.

[apackof2]

Women with money have always had, and always will have, choices

Everyone, has choices, the Lord gave us freewill, you can choose to do the right thing or you can choose to do the wrong thing

Everyone, rich or poor has to live with the choices they make

If rich women were/are choosing to have abortions based on the fact that they could afford it then its better to be poor

Afteall "what profits a man to gain the world (wealth) yet lose his soul"

[cgk]

Pro-Life/Pro-Baby ping!

Please FReepmail me if you would like to be added to, or removed from, the Pro-Life/Pro-Baby ping list...

[Theo]

I don't like murder, but I'm not willing to say, "Ban it, that will solve everything."

[cgk]

So that's what... 38 women. Actually it's 37.8, so I suppose one woman was kind of bummed instead of having a major depression.

42% or 37 women out of 90 is very troubling to me. I wouldn't make light of something that affects women so negatively, often for a lifetime. It doesn't just affect their mood, it can affect how they view and treat their future children when and if they have them.

[linda_22003]

Well, none of the proposed laws against it deal with it as murder, nor did they when it was illegal. Why is that? Even the partial birth abortion act only specifies a monetary fine and perhaps - perhaps - up to two years in jail for the doctor, with no punishment for the woman. Does that sound like legislators consider it murder?

[linda_22003]

It's a noticeable percentage, but the response I see to polls on FR is uniformly, "that's not very many people.... they need a wide response to make it valid."

[Idisarthur]

It's not until you sit with a woman in a quiet environment - fireside chat environment and have a serious talk about abortion that you hear their true feelings about it and specifically its effects.

[trisham]

Everyone, has choices, the Lord gave us freewill, you can choose to do the right thing or you can choose to do the wrong thing

*************

Exactly right.

[JohnnyZ]

I don't like murder, but I'm not willing to say, "Ban it, that will solve everything."

See, we made murder illegal, now it's often done in a back alley somewhere and the cleanup can be very unsanitary.

Imagine how much money we could save if the police and courts weren't tied up going after murderers!