While many women often report feeling relief immediately following their abortive procedure, several weeks or years later, they start to experience some of the negative emotional side effects of abortion. Mental health is just as important as physical health and so these effects are just as real as the physical ones.
These potential side effects include:
- Guilt
- Shame
- Anger
- Regret
- Feelings of loneliness or isolation
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Relationship difficulties
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts or feelings
- Eating disorders
Who is more likely to experience emotional side effects?
Those who have experienced emotional or mental health issues in the past, as well as those who are coerced or pressured into having an abortion are more prone to experiencing negative emotional side effects. Others who are likely to experience negative emotional effects include those with religious, moral or ethical beliefs against abortion, those who do not have support from their partners or families, and those who get abortions later on in pregnancy.
Is there a way to prevent emotional side effects?
While there are some individuals who are more prone to experiencing these effects, there is no guaranteed way to prevent emotional side effects of abortion from occurring. Anyone could experience emotional or phycological effects following an abortion. These are potential effects that you need to be aware of because, if you do choose to have an abortion, they could affect you later on.
Steps to Take if You’re Considering Abortion
If you’re unexpectedly pregnant and considering abortion, there are a few things you can do to inform and prepare yourself for the decision-making process:
Reach Out
Palm Beach Women’s Clinic offers no-cost resources to women in your situation. The trained professionals at our clinic can provide you with pregnancy confirmation services, as well as information about your options so that you can be fully prepared to make the best decision possible for you.
Avoid Isolation
Unexpected pregnancy can make women feel alone and cause them to withdraw from the people who truly love and care for them. Take that first step and confide in someone you trust and ask them to come with you for your appointment. Make sure you’re not going through this alone.
Consider Your Circumstances
Review the above paragraph of women who are more likely to experience negative emotional side effects of abortion and compare yourself against those scenarios. Take the time to discuss your situation with someone who can understand and help provide you with some perspective on your circumstances.
Remove Yourself from Pressure
There are a lot of people who will have opinions about what you should do. They may go so far as to pressure you into doing what they think is right. Take a step back from those people so that you have the time and space to consider what you think and believe. Whether you choose to abort, make an adoption plan, or parent, you are the one who will have to live with the choice you make.
Learn from Experience
At Palm Beach Women’s Clinic, we can connect you with someone who has gone through an unexpected pregnancy. It’s a good idea to listen to the stories of women who have gone through what you’re experiencing now to get advice and hear what they did and how it affected them.
There are a number of emotional and phycological effects associated with abortion and being aware of them can help you make the best possible decision for you. If you’re unexpectedly pregnant and need someone to talk to about your options, schedule an appointment with Palm Beach Women’s Clinic today.
