By the age of forty-five, nearly one in four women (twenty-three point seven) will have
an abortion (Abortion). A number of women who had an abortion five years earlier were interviewed and asked if they regretted it. Thirty eight percent of the group of women chose not to answer the question. Of the women that did answer the question, eighty-four percent of women said that they did not regret it or had no emotion towards it, sixteen percent said they wished they had kept their child (Wilson). A woman’s life can be negatively impacted in multiple ways after making the life-altering decision to abort her baby. These impacts include, but are not limited to; the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harm of women.
The aftermath of abortion hurts women physically, both short and long term. Possible
side effects and immediate complications include but are not restricted to: bleeding, cramping, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, back pain, swelling, vomiting, infection, scarring, shock, as well as damage to the organs, womb, and cervix (Specific) (Grimaudo). There are long-term physical effects, too. A research paper co-written by a medical doctor states that, “At least forty-nine studies have demonstrated a statistically significant increase in premature births or low birth weight risk in women with prior induced abortions” (Rooney). This statement shows that women who have had induced abortions have a higher chance of their next child having a premature birth or low birth weight. Both of these can lead to “long-term intellectual and developmental disabilities and problems with their lungs, brain, eyes and other organs” (Long-Term). Not only that, but the more induced abortions a woman has, the higher the chance of a premature birth and/or a low birth weight. Sharon Osbourn also speaks out against abortion by stating, “I would never recommend [abortion] to anyone because it comes back to haunt you. When I tried to have children, I lost three. I think it was because something had happened to my cervix during the abortion” (Cameron). Sharon clearly shared that the abortion she had has come back to haunt her often and had even kept her from having more children because of something that happened to her cervix.
Abortion is harmful to a woman’s mental health. Women who have one or multiple
abortions are more likely to become depressed than women who give birth after becoming pregnant. According to the results of a National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) study, “...women whose first pregnancies ended in abortion were 65% more likely to score in the 'high-risk' range for clinical depression than women whose first pregnancies resulted in a birth” (Cougle). This direct quote from the results of a scientific study shows that women whose first pregnancies ended in an abortion were 65% more likely to become depressed than women who gave birth. The following statement explains that women are more likely to become involved with marijuana, alcohol and drugs after having an abortion. “Compared with women who gave birth, women who had had an induced abortion were significantly more likely to use marijuana ..., various illicit drugs ..., and alcohol ... during their next pregnancy” (Coleman). After reading this quote, we can understand that after having an abortion, women are more likely to become involved with substances that can damage her future, mental health and possibly the health of her future children.
Women are not only affected physically and emotionally, but they are also affected
spiritually. Women who have had past abortion(s) may feel ashamed and unqualified to be used by God. Jessica Russo stated, “Because of my mistake, I thought I was disqualified from being used by God” (Russo). This very simple but impactful quote explains to us that she felt “less-than” or unworthy to share her story, admit what she had done was wrong and speak out against abortion. Furthermore, women may feel spiritually lost or confused whether they made the right decision. She may ask herself questions such as how God saw her unborn child, whether God still loves her, whether her child is in heaven and if she’ll see them again, and overall, what she should do in the future (Cameron). She may wrestle with the fact that she killed her unborn child and whether should then be allowed more time here on earth for the rest of her life.
In conclusion, not only is abortion lethal to the child being terminated, it is also harmful
to the woman terminating her child. She could have physical pain for the rest of her life, start using harmful substances or question whether God really loves her. This one decision will affect the future of a woman's life whether she decides to keep her child, give her child up for adoption or abort it. Women need to fully understand the negatives of taking away another human's life and damaging her own before making such an impactful and horrific decision.
Works Cited
“Abortion Is a Common Experience for U.S. Women, Despite Dramatic Declines in
Rates.” Guttmacher Institute, 22 Nov. 2017, www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2017/abortion-common-experience-us-women-despite-dramatic-declines-rates#. Accessed 18 September 2021.
Cougle, Jesse R, et al. “Depression Associated with Abortion and Childbirth: A
Long-Term Analysis of the Nlsy Cohort.” Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 9 Apr. 2003, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12709667/ . Accessed 18 September 2021.
Cameron, Kaylee. “Abortion Complications.” Focus on the Family, Focus on the Family, 3
Sept. 2021, www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/abortion-complications/. Accessed 18 September 2021.
Grimaudo, Johanna. “Abortion Risks and Side Effects.” CompassCare, 22 Apr. 2020,
www.compasscare.info/health-information/abortion/abortion-risks-and-side-effects/. Accessed 18 September 2021.
“Health & Risks.” Gateway Women's Care, Gateway Women's Care, 16 July 2021,
https://gatewaywomens.care/abortion-info/health-risks/#no1 . Accessed 18 September 2021.
Coleman, PK, et al. “A History of Induced Abortion in Relation to Substance Use during
Subsequent Pregnancies Carried to Term.” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2002, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12501082/ . Accessed 18 September 2021.
“Long-Term Health Effects of Premature Birth.” Home,
www.marchofdimes.org/complications/long-term-health-effects-of-premature-birth.aspx. Accessed 18 September 2021.
Rooney, Brent, and Byron C Calhoun. “Induced Abortion and Risk of Later Premature
Births.” Journal02-03.Cdr, Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons Volume 8 Number 2, 2003, www.jpands.org/vol8no2/rooney.pdf. Accessed 18 September 2021.
Russo, Jessica. “Did My Abortion Disqualify Me from Being Used by God?” Focus on the
Family, Focus on the Family, 20 Aug. 2020, www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/did-my-abortion-disqualify-me-from-being-used-by-god/. Accessed 18 September 2021.
“Specific Abortion Procedures and Possible Side Effects.” CSPregnancyCenter.com, 5
Mar. 2018, www.cspregnancycenter.com/side-effects-of-abortion.htm. Accessed 18 September 2021.
Wilson, Clare. “Majority of Women Who Have an Abortion Don't Regret It Five Years
On.” New Scientist, 13 Jan. 2020, www.newscientist.com/article/2229842-majority-of-women-who-have-an-abortion-dont-regret-it-five-years-on/. Accessed 18 September 2021.
Helpful Websites on Abortion
Helpful Websites on Foster Care/Adoption
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