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Mental health effects of abortion
How an abortion affects the women mentally
Mental health effects of abortion
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Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is able to live outside of the uterus and is a biological process that that impacts the fetus and mother. It’s a psychological process that involves decision making, emotions, life plans, and goals. Abortion also involves a plethora of beliefs, laws, regulations, and resources (Newman & Newman, 2015). A little over one-fifth of all pregnancies and nearly half of unintended pregnancies end in abortion in the United States (Finer & Henshaw, 2007). In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 765,651 abortions that occurred in the United States. Women in their 20’s had the highest abortion rates, ages 20-29 accounted for roughly 57.4% of all abortions. Adolescent women ages 15-19 years accounted for 14.6% of all abortions (Pazol et al., 2013). …show more content…
Spontaneous abortions are more commonly referred to as a miscarriage and the causes are often unknown partially due to understudy. Early miscarriages are characterized by the loss of pregnancy before 12 weeks, while late miscarriages occur during the 12 to 24 weeks of gestation. Recurrent miscarriages are those defined by three of more successive miscarriages. Miscarriages occur in one in five pregnancies and can have physiological and psychological implications for the mother (Giakoumelou et al., 2016). Health care professionals tell women that the sadness will grow less as times goes on and especially following a successful pregnancy, but new research suggests that women mourn longer than once expected. New studies have also found that men grieve over a miscarriage more than once expected as well. Women who experience a miscarriage are at risk for depression and anxiety, and tend to struggle to take care of the needs of a health child. Women grieve not only because of the loss of the pregnancy, but a loss of sense of self, and hopes and dreams for the future (Leis-Newman,
Abortion, which is defined as a deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, is one of the most controversial issues in society. Many people believe that abortion is unethical and morally wrong, while others believe that it is a woman’s right to decide what to do with her body. According to www.census.gov, “the number of abortions performed annually in the U.S. has leveled off at 1.2 million a year” (1). This statistic supports how many women are choosing abortion. Although abortion is legal in the United States, many people continue to voice their opinions on how it is a human rights violation and should be illegal everywhere.
In a 2006 study conducted by the CDC, it was reported that 53-56% of abortions were performed on white women between the ages of 20 and 29. Among the 46 states that provided data consistently during 1996--2006, a total of 835,134 abortions (98.7% of the total) were reported; the abortion rate was 16.1 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15--44 years, and the abortion ratio was 236 abortions per 1,000 live births. During the previous decade (1997--2006), reported abortion numbers, rates, and ratios decreased 5.7%, 8.8%, and 14.8%, respectively; most of these declines occurred before 2001. During the previous year (2005--2006), the total number of abortions increased 3.1%, and the abortion rate increased 3.2%; the abortion ratio was stable. (CDC, 2009)
The article “Abortion Harms Women” suggests supporters of legalized abortion downplay the health and mental risks associated with abortion. Research has indicated there is short and long-term physical and mental harm related to abortion (“Abortion Harms Women”). Abortion can cause many physical complications for the women, such as infections, excessive bleeding, and blood clots. They can even be life-threatening in some cases. In the article “Abortion Harms Women” the writer points out abortion is surprisingly the fifth leading cause of death maternally in the United States. There are certain complications, including infection, hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism (blood clot), and complications from anesthetics that are responsible for a woman’s death (“Abortion Harms Women”). Also, there is a greater risk of mortality the further along a woman is when she has an abortion. Along with the physical risks associated with abortion, there are the psychological risks. Abortion can cause women to feel ashamed or guilty, resulting in an increase in emotional pain. In the article “Abortion Harms Women” the writer explains many emotional problems that can affect women after an abortion. Some women experience an increase in the use of alcohol and drugs. Studies have shown that 34% of women are at a greater risk for anxiety and depression. Also, there is a 60% increase for women to
The most common conflicts that cause a woman to get an abortion are based on their own personal responsibilities. Sixteen percent of women, who get abortions, believe that their life would be changed too much to acquire a child. Twenty-one percent of expectant mothers feel that they are not ready for the responsibility to care for an adolescent. Few as twelve percent have complications with relationships or are unmarried. One perecent have been raped and/or incested. Twenty-one percent have financial disputes. Eight percent currently bare children and have all they wish for. Three percent have discovered that the baby in the womb has health issues. Four perecent of the abortions are other reasons. Lastly, the abortion pill used to minimize the fetus, does not work, therefore the woman receives an
Abortion, defined as the intentional termination of a pregnancy, is one of the most highly debated liberties of all time. Approximately one to three million abortions are performed each year. Women receive abortions for reasons such as rape, teen pregnancy, and health concerns. Unfortunately, it is a liberty that some still wish to eradicate due to religious beliefs and misconceptions. Abortion should remain a legal option for women because illegal abortions result in far more fatalities, religion does not serve as grounds for a law, and most importantly, there is no conclusive evidence that a fetus is equal to a human being.
The topic of abortion has been discussed in many ways including positive and negative ways in the United States, an understanding of why women seek abortion has been missing from the discussion. Approximately 1.21 million women per year have abortions, individuals do not publicly talk about their abortion experiences
There are many limitations valued when it comes to the right of abortion. The news media still outlines the pros and cons of anti-abortion rights in certain-states-to soon, the entire country. My perspectives on the issue of abortion have been entitled from it to never be banned among citizen’s rights. The reproduction of pregnancy has been emphasized heavily on a mother’s decision to abort their child, but the father of the child plays an active role since he considers to that particular title. Through this current issue, majority of the people against abortion do not seem to have an open mind to how much it primarily affects the decision of the mother amongst her own views of considering abortion.
In the United States, there are about 1.5 million abortions that are performed each year. This averages out to every one in four pregnancies ending in abortion. Out of all the women that get abortions, eighty percent are unmarried and sixty-three percent are between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four (Misra and Panigrahi, 1998). The younger group (fifteen to seventeen) is comprised mostly of white teenagers whereas the older group (eighteen and older) is made up of more African American teenagers (Ezzard, Cates, Kramer, and Tietze, 1982). With abortion becoming such an important subject based on its commonality and significance in the political sector, it is no wonder why social scientist have done so much research on it. Researchers have fo...
Being a mother is a lifelong job that requires copious time, energy, and money. There are myriad different reasons in which a woman would consider getting an abortion. The decision is often tragic and painful for the mother. It is one of the biggest choices a woman will make. Many people have strong beliefs about abortion, and if a mother makes a decision that they do not agree with they sometimes turn against the mother, and enkindle egregious feelings about their decision for the rest of their life. Indeed a woman may not get an abortion for selfish reasons or out of convenience, but out of a desire to protect certain important values such as her own health or a decent standard of living for the other members of the family. Additional intentions for having abortion include rape, financial difficulties, obligation by family members, or danger to the baby’s health (Roleff
Abortion is the process of removing the unwanted contents of conception, which will develop into a human being, from a mother’s body. It has been a controversial topic for years and undoubtedly will continue as one until the end of time, with valid arguments being made from members on both sides of the isle. Many of the argument and issues pointed out are ethical, scientific, and moral in nature. When do these contents of conception actually become a person? Should abortion remain legal? If made illegal will women’s health suffer as back alley abortions are performed? These are some of the many questions that are asked when the topic of abortion is discussed. For the time being abortions are legal since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalized it. This law is in direct opposition of many health care workers and nurses’ personal moral and ethical beliefs, therefore, we as nurses must examine our own surrounding and beliefs while at the same time being aware that proper care must be provided to all patients. In situations where moral obligations are tested, the professional nurse will remain free of stereotyping or segregating and will either dismiss themselves from care of these patients or will be nonjudgmental and provide the best possible care.
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of a fetus or embryo from the uterus before viability (dictionary.com). Those who disagree with abortion think that this is not right, mid evil and a form of murder. All of those thoughts are correct; abortion is the act of removing a fetus from the protection of the mother’s uterus. However, is it not the duty of the mother to protect her unborn child? In this day in age, we are still allowing this barbaric method of ending a pregnancy to happen despite the many alternatives. If an unexpected pregnancy should occur, abortion should not the only option. There are many reasons why abortion should not be illegal in all parts of the world, and people need to know the options available. Adoption is certainly a strong option in a world wanting for children. Abortion is not a method of birth control and people need to be educated on pregnancy prevention and take on some responsibilities.
A 52% of women getting abortions performed on them are younger than 25 years old and 19% are teenagers. The abortion rate is highest for those women aged 18 to 19 (56 per 1,000 in 1992 pregnancy centers.org).the reasons for this alarming rate are various and vary from person to person. But the most common decision to have an abortion is to postpone childbearing. This decision is mostly picked by the older group of women in this statistic. Another alarming fact is that a percentage of women are been pressured into abortion. Either by peers or by them realizing that they could no longer do the things they did before they became pregnant and that is when they encounter a struggle with their values. Since there is also a considerate percentage of teenage girls having abortions they are at high risk for developing serious emotional and psychological problems following abortion. Such as the impact abortion can have on a minor's emotional health, physical health, fertility, and future pregnancies. All these factors can play an important role in the future of that teenager. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without the Roe v. Wade case which in 1973, the Supreme Court decided the case of Roe v. Wade, and made abortion legal for the first time in the United States. This decision allowed women the choice to decide if they are going to terminate a pregnancy, and it allowed women the right to get a safe and legal abortion. From 1880 to 1973 abortions were illegal, and many women were having illegal and very unsafe abortions-often causing permanent damage to their reproductive organs or sometimes even death from i bleeding or infections. Since the decision was handed down by the Supreme Court, women's access to abortion ha...
There are thousands of women in the world make the mistake of getting pregnant. Yes, there are forms of contraception but they are not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Approximately 1.4 million abortion procedures are done each year in the United States, with 30% of those women being younger than forty-five years old (ProCon). Without abortion, there would be an abundance of children who are brought into the world unwanted and not being able to have the essentials they need to go through life successfully. The most difficult responsibility a woman would have to go through is finances. 85% of women who wish to have an abortion are unmarried and have to support the child alone (“Abortion Procedures”). Abortion can save a woman from going through financial distress when she is aware that she is not financially stable. Teen pregnancy is common in the world and they are not at a point in life where taking care of someone else, other than themselves, is possible to do alone. Thirty-nine states allow minors to go through the abortion procedure with parent consent (“Abortion Procedures”). All fifty states should allow this because if teens could not receive that choice, then they would have to carry an unwanted baby that they could not take care of after giving birth. Most abortion procedures are during the first trimester (Lowen). During the first weeks of pregnancy the development of the fetus is a gather of cells, therefore killing cells is not killing an actual person so abortion should not be considered murder.
The deliberate termination of a human pregnancy is called an abortion. Abortions are a widely debated subject throughout the world. In the United States, abortions are legal due to the Roe v. Wade law. Some would argue that abortions are ethnically and morally wrong, while others assert it is simply a woman’s choice. There are a number of legitimate reasons why a woman would choose to abort her unborn; financial status, age and health are just a few. With today’s technology and a certified doctor, this procedure is harmless to both the mother and her fetus. Abortions are viewed by many as dangerous and immoral acts of humanity against an unborn fetus. But in reality, abortions terminate a pregnancy that could result in a child being born into a family with inadequate finances, irresponsible parenting, and possible health problems. For these reasons, abortions offer a perfectly viable solution in situations that would otherwise result in children being raised under circumstances that are at best, not ideal, and at worst, harmful and potentially dangerous.
Abortion is an extremely controversial issue and one that is continually on the forefront of debates. Those who oppose the idea (Pro-lifers), thinks it is an act of woman playing “God” who live from who dies. Yet, whether an unborn baby constitutes a normal person is questionable; a pregnant woman, on the other hand, has the undeniable right to choose whether she wants to have a child or not. Therefore, the decision to have an abortion is the personal choice and responsibility of the woman, because prohibiting abortion impedes freedom of choice and endangers the physical and mental health of women.