David C. Reardon, Ph.D.

It is often reported that the most prominent emotion following abortion is relief, a claim that primarily rests on two studies of abortion clinic patients which had methodological and self-censure bias. This new study found that relief is only common after freely wanted abortions. Most abortions, however, are inconsistent or contrary to women’s own values. In these cases, strong negative emotions are far more common than relief.

Many studies have linked abortion to a higher risk of suicide. According to one hypothesis, this association is entirely incidental and likely explained by preexisting mental illness. This hypothesis, however, is inconsistent with women’s own self-assessments of the extent to which their abortions directly influenced their self-destructive and suicidal behaviors.

Consistent with national trends for ED visits, both the number and acuity of ED visits following pregnancy outcomes are increasing. ED visit acuity following chemical abortion is persistently and significantly higher than for surgical abortion or live birth.

While both induced abortion and natural pregnancy loss have been associated with subsequent mental health problems, population-based studies directly comparing these two pregnancy outcomes are rare. This study compared mental health morbidity after an induced abortion to natural loss. Only the abortion cohort experienced significant increases in mental health services use following the first pregnancy outcome.

In this study, women dealing with pregnancies that were problematic and who did not choose abortion experienced rapid improvements in feelings of wantedness, acceptance, timeliness, desirability, and welcoming toward the pregnancy. The improvement rate was quickest among women who investigated and considered abortion. Women who reported contact with pregnancy help centers nearly always said it improved their lives.

There is emerging evidence suggesting that pregnancy loss (induced or natural) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This prospective longitudinal study investigates the effect of prior pregnancy losses on CVD risk during the first six months following a first live birth.

A first pregnancy abortion, compared to a birth, is associated with significantly higher subsequent mental health services utilization following the first pregnancy outcome. The risk attributable to abortion is notably higher for inpatient than outpatient mental health services.

Abortion pressure and coercion constitute one of the most widespread hidden epidemics in America, and one of the least covered by the media. Our latest research shows that these insidious influences are tragically far more common than most people realize.

Nearly 70% of women with a history of abortion describe their abortions as inconsistent with their own values and preferences, with one in four describing their abortions as unwanted or coerced, according to the study published in the medical journal Cureus.

Perceived pressure to abort is strongly associated with women attributing more negative mental health outcomes to their abortions. The one-third of women for whom abortion is wanted and consistent with their values and preferences are most likely over-represented in studies initiated at abortion clinics.