Women who have chosen abortion report a variety of emotional reactions. In some cases, patients report being devastated by unexpected and strong negative emotions following their abortion procedure.

You have a right to know as much as possible about the potential emotional aftermath of abortion before you make this important decision.

Regrets and painful memories

Sometimes the circumstance that is driving a woman to abort changes and afterwards she deeply regrets losing her child. Some women tell us that they remember the date the child would have been born and wonder what the child would have looked like.

Difficulty bonding with future children

In order to go through an abortion, some women have to deny the bond with their unborn. This bonding mechanism can be damaged and she may find it much harder to bond with her next baby.

Negative impact on relationships

Sometimes a woman grows to deeply resent those who pressured her to end the life of her baby. Many relationships end after an abortion.

Negative impact on sexual intimacy

Sexual intimacy can suffer following an abortion, because an intimate physical relationship was the source of the turmoil and pain surrounding her abortion experience.

Post-abortion stress disorder

Some women experience overwhelming emotional trauma, including on-going depression and anxiety after an abortion.

For more information:

http://www.womansrighttoknow.org “If You Are Pregnant”, Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (Click on “Handbook” : “Emotional Reactions”)

American Association of Pro Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists