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They will suffer just as much mental and physical pain if they have an abortion as if they go through with the pregnancy.

The psychological responses to abortion are far less serious than those experienced by women bringing their unwanted pregnancy to term and relinquishing the child for adoption (Sachdev, 1993).

The truth is that most studies in the last 20 years have found abortion to be a relatively benign procedure in terms of emotional effect - except when pre-abortion emotional problems exist or when a wanted pregnancy is terminated, such as after diagnostic genetic testing (Adler, 1989; Adler et al., 1990; Russo & Denious, 2001).

Research studies indicate that emotional responses to legally induced abortion are largely positive. They also indicate that emotional problems resulting from abortion are rare and less frequent than those following childbirth (Adler, 1989).

Up to 98 percent of the women who have abortions have no regrets and would make the same choice again in similar circumstances (Dagg, 1991).

I believe that pro-life is always wrong, unless there is a huge risk the mother might die. (Which is extremely, extremely rare.)

3.3% of women have an abortion due to a risk to fetal health.
2.8% of women have an abortion due to a risk to maternal health.

{snip mikami's post}

A series of information sheets obtained by The Interim and related to a Toronto abortuary offer a revealing glimpse into the workings, tactics and mindset of personnel within the abortion industry. They also indicate an attempt by such personnel to guard themselves against possible future legal actions by revealing some of the negative and dangerous aspects of the abortion procedure.

Because the Choice in Health abortuary is located in an area populated by many immigrants and minorities, copies of its information are translated into other languages, including Vietnamese, Urdu, Spanish, Chinese and Tamil.

On the financial side of things, the abortuary says it "regrets" that it must ask for a payment of $400 in cash for any woman who does not have a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan card on the day of her abortion. It limits appointments to these uninsured women to just three per week. Clients having a laminaria (a device that dilates the cervix) inserted must pay the full amount in cash, or by cash and a subsidy agreement, on the day the laminaria is inserted.

Interestingly, the documents present some basic information on fetal development; for example, they acknowledge that within the 14 weeks the Choice in Health Clinic commits abortions: an "early brain," liver, kidney and pancreas form; arms, legs, eyes and ears grow; a "soft skeleton" forms; and blood vessels form and begin to connect with one another.

In the category of "risks," the abortuary admits that infection in the uterus occurs in two to four per cent of abortions, while "pregnancy tissue" stays behind in up to one per cent of abortions, and may necessitate a second abortion. Other risks include "continued pregnancy" (i.e., a failed abortion), blood in the uterus; excessive bleeding; injury to the uterus or other internal organs and allergic reactions.
The abortuary promises "experienced, non-directive, non-judgemental" pre-abortion counselling, during which the benefits and disadvantages of parenting, adoption and abortion are said to be discussed. "Clients who decide to continue the pregnancy will be given resource information and referrals as desired," it claims.

For those clients who have passed their 14th week of pregnancy, Choice in Health pledges to assist in arranging an appointment elsewhere in Ontario, where abortions can be performed up to the 5th month of pregnancy. This can be done through code names, so no one else knows that an abortuary is involved. Of course, Choice in Health's phone number is blocked.

Elsewhere in the documents, Choice in Health claims that abortions create fewer complications that a tonsillectomy, and that it is safer for a woman to abort than carry a baby to birth - assertions that would be hotly contested by many. It adds that women undergoing abortions are offered the drugs fentanyl and atropine to help with pain relief and fainting.

After an abortion, a woman can expect bleeding, cramps, nausea, tiredness, breast tenderness and frequent urination. There can also be "sadness or a sense of loss, even when the decision to have the abortion was easy to make." Mood changes and depression are other after-effects.

Choice in Health stresses that women experiencing complications or emergencies after an abortion "may" be able to get help from a doctor or emergency room, but they should "CALL US FIRST" (emphasis in the original documentation) because "few doctors or hospitals have as much experience as we do with women who have just had an abortion."

A brochure "For Men About Abortion" notes that many men escorting women for abortions are "confused, worried and upset." It acknowledges that "there are always feelings about a pregnancy and an abortion" and that "sadness and a sense of loss may also accompany an abortion." Indeed, a man "might find himself from time to time trying to imagine what the baby would have looked like."

Another document involves using journalling questions to help a woman deal with "the healing choice." It advocates using "creative selfishness" to care for oneself without feeling guilty. Eliminating guilt is the key: "If you don't champion your rights, who is going to?"

The also package includes an "Abortion Resolution Workbook" from Cincinatti Women's Services, which offers methods for experiencing "wholeness and healing" despite an abortion experience that leaves women "feeling bad, having nightmares, regretting their decision or simply still hurting and unable to forget."

Notably, the risk of suicide following a birth was about half that of the general population of women. This finding is consistent with previous studies that have shown that an undisturbed pregnancy actually reduces the risk of suicide.(4)

Abortion, on the other hand, is clearly linked to a dramatic increase in suicide risk. This statistical finding is corroborated by interview-based studies which have consistently shown extraordinarily high levels of suicidal ideation (30-55 percent) and reports of suicide attempts (7-30 percent) among women who have had an abortion.(5) In many of these studies, the women interviewed have explicitly described the abortion as the cause of their suicidal impulses.