Posted on 07/10/2007 2:12:29 AM PDT by beaversmom
Post-abortion syndrome doesn't exist. You won't find a scientific or medical description of it anywhere because it is not real ("Proponents of grief syndrome add fuel to the debate," July 2).
There is a large body of medical literature proving that the majority of women who have abortions suffer no negative medical or psychological consequences. On the contrary, most women are extremely grateful that the option of abortion is available to them. Choosing to end a pregnancy in abortion is not a decision that comes lightly to any woman, but it may very well be the best decision she can make for herself, and her current or future family.
In fact, abortion is far more likely to alleviate a woman's psychological angst than it is to cause it. Research by the American Psychological Association supports that claim, finding that 76 percent of women report feeling relief after abortion while only 17 percent report feelings of guilt.
Most people feel best about their decisions when they are presented all their options and are able to freely make a choice as to what is right for them. Pregnant women who make informed decisions about abortion are no different, and usually feel just fine about their choice.
Abortion is a difficult and divisive issue in our society, and it is attacked from all sides -- by the media, by politics, by the Supreme Court and by many people who are uninformed about the realities of unplanned pregnancy and abortion.
Abortion does not cause women to sink into despair or suffer long-term psychological problems. There are always going to be a few women who regret their decision, just as women (and men) regret other decisions that are made. And there are many who may feel sadness or grief about their decision, while still knowing it is the right decision for them to make at that time.
However, that does not translate into a syndrome that is given more credence than it even deserves by being given equal attention in this article. When there are two balanced sides of an argument, they deserve equal coverage. In this case, the weight is on the side of extensive research, which has shown repeatedly that the syndrome doesn't exist.
There are 1.3 million abortions performed every year in this country and one in four American women has at least one abortion while reproductively active. For the most part, those women continue to lead their lives without suffering from that decision. Sarah Prager is an obstetrician/gynecologist in Seattle.
well said.
I've worked with Project Rachel in the past. These young women often collapse with grief and shame once they've successfully had their first baby, as the full magnitude of their "choice" looks back at them from a bassinet. P>God will forgive her, if she asks Him to. The question is, will she forgive herself?
What % of women have some form of depression after HAVING a baby? One would have to think there would be a similar % for post-abortion women.
Among the many women SarahPrager has not met are the several I met working in psych wards for four years, who felt the devastating effects of abortions for decades, and whose grief and guilt were compounded by a society that told them they were not allowed to feel bad about having an abortion, and most certainly forbidden to say so publicly.
Well according to the Minneapolis Red Star Tribune there is a Post adoption Syndrome. In fact this reporter says lack of abortion fueled the issue. Give me a break
http://www.startribune.com/218/story/1287931.html
That would be Jack Daniels.
Assistant Professor, Women's Health
Harborview Women's clinic
Harborview Medical Center
Box 359854
Seattle, WA 981042499
Main | Affiliations | Publications
Academic Office:
Clinic Appts: (206) 731-3319
(206) 731-3367
Specialties: Women's Health Care:
Family planning
Contraception
Miscarriage management
Licensure: Washington, 2006
Certification: Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005
Joined UWP: 8/14/06
Education: MD degree
(University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, 2000)
Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Fletcher Allen Health Care, University of Vermont, 2004)
Fellowship in Family Planning (University of California, San Francisco, 2006)
Research
Interests: Contraception
Main | Affiliations | Publications
Professional
Organizations: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
National Abortion Federation
Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Medical Students for Choice
If women were choosing abortion that easily, we wouldn't see so many surprise babies.
I see that the author is a physician. Wonder what procedure she specializes in?
Just flew back from Seattle area last night. Bad ju-ju out there big time. I’ve known women who can hardly run their vacuums at home because the noise brings them back. It’s a haunting and traumatic memory at the very least.
This article is simply a lie.
In my experience the numbers are exactly the opposite of the claims made here.
Early in my adult life I had two women in particular who were atheist, seek me out for comfort and consolation, following their abortions.
I’ve only encountered one women who seemed to have no regrets about her abortion.
These are only examples to make the case.
I’m going on 54 and the numbers of expressed regrets, over time, are impressive.
I always thought it was avoided because it was emotionaly painful for the women who had, had one.
I have lost all faith whenever anyone starts quoting studies, it seems that you can prove any point you want to with a study, they have almost become pointless because too many people are dishonest with an agenda. It’s a proven fact that study results an be based on what the conductors want to find. Too bad the general public wasn’t aware of that. I personally think that case study’s are more important, and we should err on the side of what is more humane. The only person I know who has had an abortion has spent a big part of her life on anti-depressents and has had breat cancer. To me, that is more important then what any study says.
You've got to be kidding. For most guys, "the crack of dawn isn't safe!"
Mark
Many people have no regrets about a lot of things. I seriously doubt Hillary has any regret about committing election fraud so boldly. She is quite proud of herself, how does that make you feel? It makes me feel bad, because all her supporters feel the same way, yet they claim to be citizens of the United States, you know the land where we actually SUPPOSED to give a “you know what” about justice!
Yup, no problems there.
I saw an abortion on a documentary, it looks like a very degrading experince. Not to mention how it must feel if someone actually has a conscience, I don’t see how someone could NOT be bothered, it’s only human to react to something as traumatic as that. So it’s a bunch of bull when they say the women have no regrets, they must be talking to some real cold fish, not anyone with any real, human emotions. These people can take a hike, their study is pointless because they clearly have an agenda.
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