Does having an abortion affect a woman emotionally?

Answer 1

Absolutely. Abortion can depress a person, thinking "what if" is what can emotionally destroy a person. i almost did it but i know that i would have regreted missing all the beautiful things my daughter has shown me.

Answer 2

It depends on who is influencing you at the same time. I have had termination on more than one occassion. I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do even though it made me sad to have to do it as I do have children. Do not let others, religion, politics, whatever try to lay a guilt trip on you. People only have terminations because bringing a child into the world at that time would not be good for the mother or child. It is common sense. We have the choice. Accidents happen sometimes for whatever reason. God is NOT going to get you if you have one. I never had one problem connected with having one. The staff gave me every opportunity to change my mind right up to the last minute, they were not judgemental at any time or pressuring me. You go to sleep, suddenly you wake up and it's over, it does not even feel like anything has happened, but you are no longer pregnant. You have a period for a day or so. My experiences have been positive and I suffered no ill effects or health problems afterwards. I wish that I never had to do it, but I did and there is no point in holding on to regrets or guilt. There are animals in nature who abort naturally if things are not right for raising offspring. It happens with humans too. I have a happy life. Good Luck and God Bless cause he loves you no matter what.

If one is going to have a termination, do it within the first 6 weeks. Make your decision promptly. Oh and a baby is not alive until it is drawing it's first breath. The soul does not live in the child until it is born so you are NOT killing anyone.

The opinions here, do they come from people with experience in this situation? You see I always said I would NEVER have one and then I found myself in a situation and my thinking changed. Everyone here is outlining the negative, I'm telling the positive.

Answer 3

okay here goes...I like to think that it does affect every women because its a big deal...well at least to me it is...but the truth is that it all depends on the women....i know some that go about it as if its just something so ordinary and actually do it several times.
While others begin to feel guilt...so the answer would be that each women is different on how they deal with having an abortion on an emotional note.

Answer 4

Honestly, not always. Some women feel only relief after their abortion. Some have mixed feelings. And a very small minority regret it or experience mild emotional trauma. If you really want to know about women's experiences after abortion, you need to google I'm Not Sorry, a place where women share their abortion experiences.

Answer 5

Yes. From a purely medical standpoint, an abortion messes with already out of control pregnancy hormones which affect womens emotions.

Then there is the fact that you are ending a life that is growing inside you. Yes there are emotional consequences.

Answer 6

Absolutely.

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A woman faced with an unplanned pregnancy is in a state of crisis. She often feels overwhelmed by the unexpected news and struggles to come to a decision that is influenced by a variety of pressures and constraints. Her decision-making capacity may be severely compromised and she may be very susceptible to any pressure to abort. The adolescent is particularly vulnerable. All too often medical advice and the opinions of parents and a partner may override a desire by the teenager to continue the pregnancy.

Alternatively, the woman may feel the only option is to abort if she is to preserve any semblance of life for herself. News of a pregnancy can seem like a personal death sentence - the end of her future. Her plans are thrown into disarray and she can see no future for herself in having to manage with a baby. She sees only hardship and impossible obstacles. An abortion decision can become a question of personal survival. The opinions of others can override her own judgement as can the perceived obstacles. She may also be pressured to have an abortion by a partner or other significant people.

So many girls/women report feeling powerless once they enter an abortion clinic - as if there can be no turning back. They feel that they can not change their minds. Put this together with other pressures such as being thrown out of home (perceived or real) or a partner threatening to leave and the girl/woman may see herself as totally helpless and having only one option.
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Common post abortion symptoms

- Depression and sense of loss
- Feelings of guilt and remorse
- Emotional numbness and withdrawal
- Loss of self-esteem
- Generalised sadness
- Extreme or chronic rage
- Anxiety attacks, feelings of panic
- Persistent fears, fear of a nervous breakdown
- Inappropriate emotional responses
- Frequent bouts of weeping (often unexplained)
- Memory loss
- Sleep disorders, nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Negative and jealous feelings (towards others with children)
- Feelings of victimisation
- Repeated unusual thoughts
- Relationship problems (partner, children - current, future)
- Intense interest in babies/avoidance of babies and children
- Preoccupation with becoming pregnant again (the atonement child)
- Personality changes
- Self-destructive behaviour - alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, self-mutilation and suicide.
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Answer 7

Yes because it can be a hard choice. The little baby that is counting on her will be killed and not even have a chance to see what life is like. She may feel regretful, sad, ashamed and upset she could not have a child after all she went through.

Answer 8

Yes, my girlfriend had 2 done(didnt want kids and health reasons) and she said she still felt affected by having it done.

Answer 9

I would ask some women in your life. No man can even guess how a women could possibly feel after such a traumatic event.

Answer 10

Some say that its either the worst feeling they've ever felt or they dont regret it at all. It just depends on what type of person your asking