What percentage of women who have abortions regret it?

Answer 1

The percentage is 5-30% which is a huge difference between 5 and 30 but you also have to look at the individual. Some get the Baby blues just like a woman can get it after childbirth since it the same hormones. That is a depression that require meds. You also have to look at the background of the woman. Some already have problems with no supportive families, boyfriends, society etc. Some have no one to talk to about the hardest thing in their life. Many things are playing into the feelings of how a woman feel afterwards.

It's normal for a woman to have many emotions after an abortion, like relief, sadness, happiness and feelings of loss. Each woman is unique and many feel they made the right decision. For some women, however, abortion can raise negative emotional responses including grief, guilt, anger, shame and regret.

What kinds of things might contribute to a woman feeling distress after an abortion?

-- Hormones are changing back to their pre-pregnancy state after an abortion. This chemical change can make a woman feel sad and emotional.

-- A woman is more likely to feel negative emotions if she felt pressured into having an abortion by someone else, instead of making her own decision.

-- Some women don't receive much support from their friends or family.

-- Social stigmas about abortion can make it difficult for women to share their experience and make them feel isolated.

-- Some women might feel judged.

-- Some women fear that they might never again be able to get pregnant.

However, abortion does not interfere with your future fertility.

-- Sometimes the couple relationship is stressed or undermined by the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy. In these circumstances, women may feel abused and/or abandoned.

Any time you make a difficult life decision, it is natural to have second thoughts. Sometimes reading other women's stories can be reassuring and may make your own feelings more clear.

Is it normal to feel depressed after an abortion?

Yes it is. About 5-30% of women report feelings of regret, anxiety, guilt, mild depression and other negative emotions. If your feelings are overwhelming or persistent, you should consult a professional therapist. Just like you can get 'baby blues' after childbirth you can also get it after an abortion since the hormones are the same. Then you will need medical help. It is rare for a woman to become clinically depressed after having an abortion. There are some risk factors that can contribute to the risk of clinical depression after abortion, such as a previous history of depression. Depression is a very serious illness. It is extremely important that you seek help from a professional such as a doctor, counsellor or therapist.

Answer 2

Research indicates that the percentage of women who regret having an abortion is relatively low, estimated to be around 1-5%. Many women report feeling relief and confidence in their decision after having an abortion. It is important to recognize that individual experiences with abortion vary widely.