Considering an Abortion?

You may be considering an abortion because your pregnancy seems ill timed. You may be in the midst of studies or have recently taken on a new job, you may be having problems with your partner or you just think you are not ready to have this child.

Take your time

At Pregnancy Counselling Services we are here to listen and let you talk about your concerns before making a decision. It is vital that you feel in control of your decision making and that the final choice about this pregnancy is yours.

Many women who have had an abortion say that their decision was made either because they felt pressured or they thought they had no other choice.

Making a decision

We encourage you to understand your options so that you can make a fully informed decision about your pregnancy. The important thing to consider before deciding to have an abortion is that this decision is irreversible and can affect you for the rest of your life.

Are you fully informed?

To make an informed choice you need to understand some of the possible physical and emotional consequences of abortion. It may be spoken of as a medically safe procedure, but you need to be aware of possible physical and psychological effects:

Physical complications:

  • The abortion may not have been properly completed (2-3 percent cases) which requires the procedure to be repeated
  • Infection inside the uterus. This is usually easily treated with antibiotics (2 percent - 1 in 50). It is important to carefully observe follow-up instructions as untreated infection could affect your future fertility
  • Blood clots staying in the uterus. This requires another suctioning, similar to the original abortion operation (1 percent).

Very rarely, there could be:

  • A hole or tear in the uterus which usually heals itself but may leave scar tissue that reduces future fertility
  • A hole or tear in the cervix which can be repaired with stitches at the time of the abortion
  • Excessive bleeding due to failure of the uterus to contract. This may require a blood transfusion which is avoided unless the bleeding is life threatening
  • Failure to get pregnant again - this occurs following one in every 100 pregnancies, whether there is a miscarriage, abortion, or a live or stillbirth. Very rarely amenorrhoea (absence of periods), may follow abortion
  • An increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth in future pregnancies following abortion. This is thought to be more likely following two or more abortions, or if the abortion is carried out after 13 weeks of pregnancy.

Psychological side effects:

Women are more likely to suffer emotional problems after an abortion if they:

  • Believe that abortion is wrong
  • Felt unsure about whether to have an abortion
  • Were pressured by others
  • Originally wanted the baby, but felt pressured, by extreme difficulties in their situation, into seeking an abortion
  • Made a decision late in the pregnancy
  • Had little support from their partner or family.

Symptoms may include:

  • Problems with relationships
  • Depression
  • Loss of self-esteem
  • Anxiety and guilt
  • Sadness and regret
  • Flashbacks.

(from ‘Considering an abortion? What are your options?' Ministry of Health 1998) [N.B.Our comments added in italics]

Recent research

In addition, recent research in New Zealand* has shown other possible symptoms:

  • Anger
  • Self Harm
  • Abuse of drugs and alcohol
  • Anxiety
  • Suicidal thoughts or attempts.

*See Study by Professor David Fergusson et al at http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/193/6/444.abstract

For more information

Visit: www.postabortionpaths.org.nz or contact us for a copy of 'Considering an Abortion? What are your options?' produced by the Ministry of Health 1998.

Feel free to call us

Have you considered talking confidentially to one of our counsellors? We are here to listen and to help you consider your choices so that you can make sound decisions for yourself.

A counsellor is available to you on the telephone 24 hours a day. You can also contact us by email.

We will meet with you for face to face counselling, if that is what you would like, provided we have a counsellor in your area.

Our services are free.