If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, it is natural to wonder how the decision might affect you emotionally. Understanding the potential mental health effects is part of making a fully informed choice, one that accounts for your long-term well-being and not only this moment.
At Pathways Clinic, we provide no-cost, confidential services, including options consultations. Get the resources and information you need to make an informed decision.
Emotional Responses Are Personal
There is no single emotional response to abortion. Some women describe relief, while others report sadness, grief, anxiety, or a sense of loss.
Many describe a combination that shifts over time and can resurface years later, often around an anniversary or a later pregnancy.
Keep in mind that because your own history and circumstances shape your response, no one can predict exactly how you will feel.
What Research Tells Us
Research in this area is ongoing.
A large study of nearly 29,000 abortion cases found higher rates of mental health hospitalization following abortion than following delivery, with elevated risk of psychiatric disorders, substance use, and suicide attempts. Women with preexisting mental illness and those under 25 were most at risk.
A separate analysis of state Medicaid records found that women whose first pregnancy ended in abortion were 3.4 times more likely to see an increase in outpatient mental health visits and 5.7 times more likely to see an increase in inpatient admissions, compared with women who gave birth.
Factors That May Affect Your Experience
Research has also identified circumstances associated with more difficult outcomes: lack of support, feelings of stigma, preexisting mental or emotional challenges, wanting to continue the pregnancy, and repeat abortion.
Feeling pressured into an abortion is also correlated with negative emotions, disruption to daily life, and a decline in mental health.
Additionally, a recent study found that women who described an abortion as inconsistent with their own values and preferences reported poorer mental health outcomes.
Weighing these factors honestly can help you understand how the decision could affect your mental health and specific situation.
You Deserve Factual Information
Wherever you are in this process, you do not have to sort through it by yourself.
Our team at Pathways Clinic will sit down with you in a safe, non-judgmental environment and discuss your options. We also provide lab-quality pregnancy testing, and a registered nurse will determine your medical eligibility for a limited ultrasound.
An ultrasound provides important details and is the only way to confirm your pregnancy. These services help protect your health and safety, and we’ll be sure to answer any questions you have.
Contact us to schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today. We’re here for you.
Pathways Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.