How Will Abortion Affect Me Mentally?
An unplanned pregnancy can be a highly emotional time. Hormones are running high, and there is a mix of feelings in play.
You may consider an abortion and wonder about the mental health effects. Recognize that not every woman responds in the same way.
How Might I Respond to an Abortion?
Right after an abortion, women can feel a mix of emotions, including relief, loss, sadness, and guilt. However, you are the best predictor of how you might react to an abortion.
To consider how abortion may affect you mentally, ask yourself some questions. Studies show that certain risk factors can lead to a higher rate of mental health issues.
- Do you want the pregnancy, but circumstances make it seem impossible to have a child?
- Are you feeling pressured by others to abort?
- Do you have a history of mental health problems?
- Does abortion go against your moral beliefs?
If you answer “yes” to any of these, that does not guarantee a negative mental health outcome. However, it does increase your chances.
What Are Some Possible Mental Health Issues After Abortion?
If you do struggle mentally after an abortion, you are not alone. Research shows that abortion leads to an 81% increased risk of mental health issues for women who abort versus those who do not.
Some of these negative mental health issues include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal behaviors.
Researchers have discovered that grief may not come immediately; it can surface months or years later.
Where Can You Find Help?
At Options For Her, we offer an Abortion Healing and Recovery Class designed for women struggling emotionally from abortion. It is available at no cost to anyone searching for healing.
If you think you might be pregnant, our experienced medical team can provide a pregnancy test and ultrasound (also at no cost) to give you the information you need. We will also provide comprehensive information on all your options.
We are to walk alongside you. Contact us today!
Pregnancy Testing
If you suspect you may be pregnant, you should speak with a trusted medical provider or pregnancy clinic. By discussing the best time to test and confirming your results with a quality pregnancy test and ultrasound, you can be sure of the results and begin planning your next step.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to receive information that can be seen as an image on a screen. Determine what choices you have with an ultrasound. An ultrasound will alert you of any possible complications. It is an important step of the pregnancy confirmation process, as it confirms three different aspects of your pregnancy.
Mobile Unit
We offer pregnancy confirmation services at our Mobile Unit! Here is more about our pregnancy services, provided at no cost to you and completely confidential. If for some reason you can't come to us, we can come to you with our mobile unit.
Pregnancy Testing
If you suspect you may be pregnant, you should speak with a trusted medical provider or pregnancy clinic. By discussing the best time to test and confirming your results with a quality pregnancy test and ultrasound, you can be sure of the results and begin planning your next step.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to receive information that can be seen as an image on a screen. Determine what choices you have with an ultrasound. An ultrasound will alert you of any possible complications. It is an important step of the pregnancy confirmation process, as it confirms three different aspects of your pregnancy.
Mobile Unit
We offer pregnancy confirmation services at our Mobile Unit! Here is more about our pregnancy services, provided at no cost to you and completely confidential. If for some reason you can't come to us, we can come to you with our mobile unit.
