If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you have three choices — parenting, abortion, or adoption. If you’re not ready to become a parent at this stage of your life, you still have options!
In this blog, we’ll be discussing the risk of depression related to abortion and how an adoption plan can help you avoid these long-term, unwanted mental health consequences.
I’m pregnant and don’t know what to do!
It’s no secret that experiencing an unplanned pregnancy will add some level of stress, anxiety, and fear to a woman’s life. On top of this, the process of choosing between parenting, abortion, and adoption can feel overwhelming.
If you’re experiencing these feelings of anxiety related to making the best decision for you and your pregnancy, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Palm Beach Women’s Clinic is here for you throughout each step of the decision-making process.
From providing you with insight into your pregnancy through an ultrasound scan to giving you a safe space to process your fears and worries, our staff is here to empower you as you make the best choice for your pregnancy.
Mental Health and Abortion
Not only can abortion lead to severe physical side effects, such as infection, sepsis, and hemorrhaging, but it has also been linked to an increase in mental health issues, including depression.1,2
Studies have shown that post-abortive women may experience an “81% increased risk of mental health problems.” These issues may include depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, suicide, and substance abuse.2
While depression and anxiety aren’t always physically noticeable, they are serious and can impact your life as a whole. While the choice to have an abortion can feel like the easiest and quickest way of addressing an unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to consider the ways in which this choice could impact you for years to come.
How an Adoption Plan Can Prevent Depression Caused by Abortion
If you’re not ready to become a parent but are worried about the risks related to abortion and depression, adoption may be the best option for you!
While choosing adoption comes with its own challenges, this option provides several benefits over abortion that should be considered as you make a choice for your future. Not only does adoption allow you to avoid potential mental health issues related to abortion, but it may also provide you with a strong sense of purpose and empowerment in knowing your child has been placed with a loving and supportive family.
What does adoption look like for the birth mother?
As the birth mother in an adoption process, you’ll be empowered to make important choices that will allow for your child to have the best life moving forward! Today, 95 percent of adoptions in the U.S. are considered “open” adoptions. In an option adoption, the birth mother is able to determine who her child will be placed with and what her relationship with the child and family will look like in the future.N
ot sure where to start? You’ll likely work with an adoption agency that will support and guide you in your decisions throughout the process.
How do I learn more about adoption?
The first step in the adoption process is to gather information! Palm Beach Women’s Clinic is here to help you learn more about your pregnancy, answer your questions about adoption, and provide you with more information regarding the process! If you decide adoption is the right option for you, you’ll be connected with a trusted adoption agency, which will help you start your custom adoption plan!
Are you ready for some peace of mind? Schedule your appointment today!
- Reardon DC. The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities. SAGE open medicine. 2018;6: 1–38. 10.1177/2050312118807624 . [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
2. Coleman, PK, “Abortion and Mental Health: Quantitative Synthesis and Analysis of Research Published 1995-2009,” BJP 2011; 199:180-186).
