Psychological responses of women after first-trimester abortion

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and psychological distress following medical and surgical abortion

“…The results of the studies are contradictory: some reported a significant association between negative psychological consequences and abortion (Fergusson, Horwood, & Ridder, 2006;Pedersen, 2008), while others did not evidence this association (Major et al, 2000;Steinberg & Russo, 2008). Even though Major et al (2000) highlighted regular levels of anxiety and depression after abortion, demonstrating that the majority of women are able to cope with that, Soderberg, Andersson, Janzon, and Sjoberg (1998) reported a potential rate of up to 60% of women who expressed a psychological pain directly linked to abortion. Some authors have also highlighted that 11% of women would suffer from mood disorders early in the first week and such symptomatology persists in the 2 weeks following abortion (Lazarus & Stern, 1986;Rosen, Nystedt, Bygdeman, & Lundstrom, 1979).…”

“…Email: natalene.sejourne@laposte.net the main psychological consequences reported (Broen, Moum, Bodtker, & Ekeberg, 2005;Gilchrist, Hannaford, Frank, & Kay, 1995;Pedersen, 2007;Reardon & Cougle, 2002). The results of the studies are contradictory: some reported a significant association between negative psychological consequences and abortion (Fergusson, Horwood, & Ridder, 2006;Pedersen, 2008), while others did not evidence this association (Major et al, 2000;Steinberg & Russo, 2008). Even though Major et al (2000) highlighted regular levels of anxiety and depression after abortion, demonstrating that the majority of women are able to cope with that, Soderberg, Andersson, Janzon, and Sjoberg (1998) reported a potential rate of up to 60% of women who expressed a psychological pain directly linked to abortion.…”

The Relationship Between Depression and Other Psychosocial Problems in a Sample of Adolescent Pregnancy Termination Patients

“…In 2000, the adolescent abortion rate was 24 per 1,000 adolescent women (Department of Health and Human Services 2006). Although the literature indicates that pregnancy termination itself is not associated with adverse mental health outcomes for adolescents (Adler et al 2003;Major et al 2000;Pope et al 2001), adolescents who have become pregnant are clearly engaging in unprotected sexual activity (or have been assaulted) and thus are at risk for the problems associated with sexual activity, such as the contraction of sexually transmitted infections and subsequent unplanned pregnancies (Department of Health and Human Services 2006). Adolescents involved in unplanned pregnancies could face problems in other areas and may be in need of attention from mental health professionals to address their psychosocial health needs.…”

Reproduktion und Psyche

“…Nach der vorgeschriebenen Beratung bei einer Schwangerschaftskonfliktberatungsstelle erfolgt der Abbruch durch Absaugen oder medikamentös; abgesehen von Einzelfällen wird der Schwangerschaftsabbruch ambulant durchgeführt. Untersuchungen [26] zeigen, dass frühe Schwangerschaftsabbrüche meist gut verarbeitet werden und ihnen nur selten ausgeprägte psychische Störungen folgen -anders als bei späten Abbrüchen aus medizinischer Indikation [26,27] [29]. Liegt allerdings eine schwere Symptomatik vor (3-8 % aller Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter [30,31,32], die die Kriterien der prämenstruellen dysphorischen Störung erfüllt (.…”