The Psychological Effect of Abortion on Women?

{draw:g} Natasha Joseph Ms. Powell College Writing 2 Thesis: The psychological effect of abortion on women? What is Abortion? The termination of an early pregnancy. Is it a health risk? Why do many have abortions? Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice When life does begin? Should abortion be illegal? How does abortion affect your health? Signs of complications after abortion Physically and Mentally The Psychological effect of Abortion on women. Conclusion What is Abortion? One of the most controversial issues in the United States is abortion. Abortion is the termination of pregnancy after twelve weeks of gestation (Wikipedia.com). Some miscarriage and stillbirths can be defined as accidental abortion. There are many different methods in having an abortion. Some induced abortions are performed using one of several methods. The safest and most useful and appropriate method is determined by the age of the fetus, or the length of pregnancy, which is calculated from the beginning of the pregnant woman 's last menstrual period. Most pregnancies last an average of 39 to 40 weeks, about 9 months. So abortions are performed in the first trimester of the pregnancy because it is easier and safer because the fetus is much smaller. When terminating a pregnancy they are often health risk such as breast cancer, Cervical or ovarian cancers and could cause labor complication later in life if you decide to have a child. The more abortion you have the more it increases the change of health problems. So before you have an abortion you should look at other choices like adoption. The majority of abortions are mostly due to the fact of teenage pregnancy. There are many reason people have abortions. Some of the reasons are they are unable to take care of a child financially, not ready to raise a child, have a abusive relationship with their partner and they don’t want to bring a child into the kind of atmosphere, have been a victim of rape and finally having a child would have serious health complication. Pro-life vs. Pro-choice Abortion has been a conflict between the pro-life and pro-choice movement. The question is when does life begins? Life begins at the conception when the egg is fertilized by the sperm. The pro-life moments considers undeveloped human life is sacred and must be protected by the government. They want abortion to illegal everywhere regardless of the circumstances. When groups of the pro-life and pro-choice debate on abortion they overlook the fact the many women who have abortion have no choice in the matter. There are many who have abortions just to do so but most have no other options available to them but to terminate a life that they may not want to. A lot of people are debating whether or not abortion should be illegal but who have the right to tell you what to do with your body. Many believe that abortion is murder no matter when a person believes life becomes official. There are many reasons abortion should be illegal including the descriptive and disturbing stories about how aborted babies sometime scream as they come out and the looks of pain on their faces. The health threat to the mother after going through with the procedure as well as the lifelong health risks that remain should be good enough reasons abortion should be illegal. With the rising healthcare costs and instance of disease greater than the medical ability to solve the problems, continued health remains important to all people. Self induced problems such as voluntary termination of pregnancy leads to complications for future pregnancies, reproductive disease, and depression. There many couples available for adopting these children by way of impotence by one or both people this is another option beside having an abortion How abortion does affect your life? Abortion is a life changing event for most women not just a medical procedure which can cause physical, spiritual and emotional consequences. When you get an abortion some risk are involved as with any operation. Some of the risk include heavy bleeding with is cause when the cervix is being torn or punctured after the operation. Any risk is an infection that is caused when some of the fetus is left inside of the womb and cause you to have a pelvic infection. Sometimes you can have an incomplete abortion where unwanted fetal parts left inside the uterus and this can lead to a hysterectomy which is the removal of the uterus. After abortion at least 50% of women are affected by breast cancer. Many women suffer with emotional and psychological problems after experiencing abortion. Some of these problems are depression; acute feeling of grief and fear of disclosure, eating disorders, suicide tendencies, anxiety and also increased consumption of alcohol and drugs. These are some of the risks involved in abortion. So think before you go for an abortion surgery. Avoid abortion, unless and until it is obligatory in terms of your health and you were a victim of abused. The psychological effect of abortion on women Most women feel some relief immediately after the abortion procedure, though there is often sadness as well. Natural hormonal changes related to pregnancy can cause a woman to feel more emotional than usual. Post-abortive women may experience a variety of feelings, including sadness, anger, regret, guilt, or even numbness. Women who have experienced abortion often report symptoms typical of depressive and anxiety disorders, such as sleeplessness, tearfulness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, and an inability to concentrate. These problems can be confounded by relationship difficulties that are often both a cause and effect of the abortion decision. The disorder of having negative effects after an abortion is called Post Abortion Syndrome or PAS. (Allied Action Inc. 1996, 1). Although many women experience these problems for only a short period, many others have emotional difficulties for a long period after the abortion. These may manifest as clinical depression, an anxiety disorder, substance abuse, an eating disorder, or sexual difficulties. Women who already have problems such as these before an abortion may have a worsening of symptoms as a result of the abortion. Such difficulties can last for months or even years. (Allied Action Inc. 1996, 1). Conclusion Many women have an abortion for different reasons. The majority of abortions that occurs within the United States are that of Teenagers and single young adults. Abortion is one of the most controversy topics today in Society and Politics. Abortion is a women right to choose what is best for her. Although at time I think there should be some restrictions on Abortions; whereas abortions should only be given to women in serious cases such as if your health is at risk or you have been a victim of rape or any form of abuse. You should think seriously before you have an abortion because it is a life altering decision. Works Cited Hutchison. "A Feminist Approach to Post-Abortion Counseling". Herizons, June 1997: 23-24 Reardon, David c. Abortion Risks and Complications, (1997), 2000 Elliot Institute. Retrieved July 28, 2009. http://www.afterabortion.org/physica.html Stacey, Dawn, Abortion Procedures, (July 09, 2009) Retrieved July 28, 2009. http://contraception.about.com/od/contraceptionfailure/a/aboutabortion_2.htm Allied Action Inc. Post Abortion Syndrone, 1996 The National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing Impact of Abortion on the Family; IRLF Newsletter, 1993

Cited: Hutchison. "A Feminist Approach to Post-Abortion Counseling". Herizons, June 1997: 23-24 Reardon, David c. Abortion Risks and Complications, (1997), 2000 Elliot Institute. Retrieved July 28, 2009. http://www.afterabortion.org/physica.html Stacey, Dawn, Abortion Procedures, (July 09, 2009) Retrieved July 28, 2009. http://contraception.about.com/od/contraceptionfailure/a/aboutabortion_2.htm Allied Action Inc. Post Abortion Syndrone, 1996 The National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing Impact of Abortion on the Family; IRLF Newsletter, 1993