With advances in technology, pregnant women are often able to make decisions about their pregnancies. Nuchal translucency screening tests are used to determine the probability of the fetus having chromosomal abnormalities (Gottfredsdóttir, Björnsdóttir, & Sandall, 2009). Due to these technological advancements, there have been many debates raised in regards to terminating or continuing with the pregnancy if tests indicate abnormalities. In this paper, I will discuss he mental effects of the mother in both abortion and continuing cases, the physical effects in both scenarios as well as their decisions implications for society. To begin, mental health is something extremely essential to as person’ well being. If a mother is faced with a …show more content…
The other perspective on the word regret is, some mothers did not have a choice to have screening tests done. They were unaware that their child would be born with chromosomal abnormalities. One mother explained that “I know this will shock many: this is my son, whom I 've loved, nurtured and defended for nearly half a century, but if I could go back in time, I would abort him in an instant” (Relf, 2014). In case’s such as this there can be regret because they have experiences the challenges and they did not have a choice. Furthermore, not all mental states are negative relates to Down syndrome parents. A woman explained that her husband was unsure about keeping their disabled baby, but she was more than sure and she felt the love that the baby was radiating. In her story, she explained that the moment their baby as born her husband was able to understand because he also felt the love at that moment (Pixley, 2015). Sometimes what seems so scary is really something that will make you grown and learn. For some, continuing their pregnancy knowing that their baby will have Down Syndrome is a no brainer but for others it can be an incredibly painful decision. For some mothers continuing their pregnancy once they are aware of chromosomal abnormalities is not an option. Due to this life altering decision they are exposed to several factors that can affect their mental health. The first factor to consider is trauma. For a large number of women abortions are a traumatic
Many women choosing to have an abortion are unaware of the psychological effects it will have on them. Many are affected for years or maybe even lifetime after the procedure. Abortion can affect each woman differently, some claim that abortion has negative effects on women’s mental health. Women have abortions for different reasons within different personal, social, economic, and cultural contexts. All of these may lead to variability in women’s psychological reactions following the abortion. This paper will focus on answering the following questions:
Since abortions legalization in 1973, it has become a topic ensnared by controversies as groups debate abortions moral and ethical consequences. Most often the controversy over abortion comes down to a person’s moral stand point on the subject, however, most people are not apprised of the possible long and short term psychological effects of receiving an abortion. Multiple studies preformed over the years have endeavored to determine the extent abortion has on women’s mental health with vastly varying results. Articles written by Coleman and Fergusson surmise women who undergo an abortion operation are highly prone to experience some variety of psychological harm. Other researchers like the American Psychological Association (APA) task force
In the overarching state of humanity, few topics are as important to the long term societal standpoint as abortion. Even more important and contested is the controversial subject of whether or not a woman will endure long term psychological effects or disorders after said abortion. This subject has been highly debated, with valid points made by both sides. It is important that we all look into these repercussions, especially since approximately 33% of women will undergo an abortion by the time they reach forty-five years old. This often challenged subject has many aspects. The main ideas that I researched where whether or not having an abortion leads to a higher risk for mental health issues, whether or not “post-abortion syndrome” is a
It is difficult to think about all the different emotions a mother must feel after losing her baby; no matter how it happens. The abortion may have been something the mother wanted or she may have been pressured into it by others around her. No matter what the reason is, it is hard for a mother to lose something that was a part of her for nine months. She feels many different emotions due to the major hormone changes she goes through. These emotions can range from average feelings to feelings that are dangerous to the point where the mother needs professional help. According to the American pregnancy association (2007), abortion causes many side effects such as; regret, anger, guilt, shame, loneliness or isolation, impaired self confidence, insomnia or nightmares, relationship issues, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, depressions and anxiety (para. 3). Many mothers go through a regret period, which is
1.1 Explain the pattren of developments in the first three years of life and the skills typically acquired at each stage.
"...Women who were denied abortions 'Felt more regret and anger' and 'less relief and happiness' than women who had abortions” (“Should Abortion”). This proves that being denied an abortion when needed or wanted can have devastating consequences on a woman's mental health. Women in these situations felt helpless and probably do not know what to do with their future. Finally, abortions give women the opportunity to not deliver a baby when it is revealed that it has a deadly or incurable disease. Fetuses can have anencephaly where the brain doesn't grow, limb–body wall complex where are the organs grow outside of the body, and Down Syndrome. "'Many couples... don't have the resources, don't have the emotional stamina, don't have the family support!' [to raise a child with Down syndrome]."
The woman who kept her pregnancy after her child had Down syndrome was grateful “She's an incredibly happy little girl. She lights up our lives ... I've been a person who thought academic achievement was really important, and it's been a beautiful learning experience to realize that value is about the soul of the person. Molly has really helped me to sit back and enjoy the moment rather than racing to get ahead.” And the lady who terminated her pregnancy stated that “I was bullied into going ahead with an abortion," says Ideson, 46, a GP surgery manager. "I only wish I could turn back the clock. I think of the daughter I never had every day. I'll always regret it” (Tarzo, 2016) The woman who kept her baby came to acceptance that her child was a blessing just like any other child. She didn’t feel the guilt that the women who terminated her daughter felt. If Susan listened to the doctor about terminating her pregnancy it wouldn’t be Christian view, because they don’t depend on science. She will end up feeling bad about not keeping her baby, especially if encounters others mothers who are proudly raising their Down syndrome
Medical emergencies compel woman to abortion in some cases. There is a possibility of the mother’s life being in danger if she carries or delivers the child. Another reason some women decide to abort is if they are rape victims. A victim should not have to bear a child for an unfortunate incident. Finally, the author writes that technology can now detect diseases among unborn babies. Giving birth to a baby that will suffer all day is a reason that one may decide to
Bioethical issues include life-prolonging treatments, organ transplantation, medical physician-assisted suicide, abortion, new reproductive technologies, and recent advances in genetics diagnosis and therapy. Such issues often prove to be controversial and can leave us questioning a lot. New medical treatments and technologies often do not come with sufficient precedents to guide our moral reasoning where the life of a woman is in danger. Illegal abortions are common worldwide and carry a high risk of complications, including severe bleeding, infertility, or death often occur. One of the most common reasons for abortions at the latter stage of pregnancy is detection that the fetus has a serious genetic defect. With currently approved technology, these procedures can only be done later in pregnancy. Another common reason is that the woman is young or in denial about her pregnancy, and does not seek an abortion until she is unable to hide it.
Nearly 81% of women who receive abortions experience subsequent mental health problems according to a recently published study by The Royal College of Psychiatrists. The study demonstrates that the aftermath of an abortion can result in higher rates of anxiety, depression, various forms of substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. As a result of the study, it shows that women who have an abortion face almost double the risk of mental health problems as women who have their baby. This outcome is due to the fact that most women who are terminating pregnancies “may feel a greater sense of loss, anxiety and distress due to lack of support”, as summarized in the Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit reproductive health organization. In fact, a five-year study shows that 25% of
Each of us desires a small hint to what our futures may hold, but few desire the answer to come to them on a stick with two pink lines. An unexpected pregnancy has the potential to become the greatest blessing or an inconceivable challenge depending on the individual and her current place in life. Upon confirming an unexpected pregnancy, each female must evaluate what choice is the best for her and her potential child. Regardless of the decision one makes (whether it be abortion, adoption, or even starting a family) there are certain benefits and drawbacks that are bound to be a part of each. In recent years, the benefits and drawbacks of abortion have become the center of a hostile dispute. The pro-life argument centers around the idea
The staff should be willing to provide support to mothers with mental illness. This can be achieved by discussing “positive parenting experiences reported by mothers” and show that they are willing to discuss parenting strategies. Regarding mental health care, parenting support should become a part of “ongoing mental health care and treatment.” By acknowledging the needs of mothers, it can become an integral part of care and checked up on regularly. It will also help mental help staff to provide the care and increase the access the mothers need in times of crisis. Upon being admitted, mothers should be given an assessment to understand the needs that she has and “level of coping as a parent.” As a result, it can staff determine the support that is required. A recommendation to accomplish this is to provide professional the education needed to provide the essential information to women with mental health issues and their families. The overall benefit of making these adjustments is “preventing crisis by early intervention and
In some instances, the fetus may die before birth or be extremely underdeveloped. These nonviable pregnancies may require an induced abortion in order to prevent the parent from carrying to term and giving birth to a stillborn child, which is associated with high risks of developing depression and post-traumatic stress (Kelly and Trinidad), or a child who will die within the first days of life. One woman reported that she had an eighty percent chance of miscarriage after it was discovered that her fetus had severe genetic abnormalities, and, if she had carried out her pregnancy, it was likely that the child would not have survived long. She wrote that “we decided to terminate. … Even though I know we made the right choice, I am still filled
When girls get pregnant before married, or an unplanned pregnancy is discovered, many distressed women turn to abortion because they have a fear of what society might think or do, so they go through crisis situation to get rid of a unwanted child. Women who have gone through abortions can get depressed after they realize what they have done and that they can’t undo it. Many researcher have shown that abortion has a highest risk of miscarriages, or even destruction of fetus.
Statement of Problem: Abortion is defined as the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. Today, especially here in the United States of America, there is a growing issue and debate around the idea of abortion. There is a stigma against abortion because of the possibility of negative religious, political, medical, emotional, and mental consequences it may cause. Each year, worldwide there is an estimated 42 billion abortions that take place. This number does not include abortions that are not performed by professionals. The big issue alongside with abortion itself, is the affects it has on the mental health of females who undergo the procedure.