Being someone who is interested in going into the mental health field, I have recently seen/heard of more than one report of women who have developed PTSD/Depression/Anxiety disorders post-abortion.
While I think it makes strong case for life, those on the pro-abortion side will claim that an unwanted childbirth/child-rearing is inherently more stressful. I haven’t seen anything on this, (yet I’m sure it exists), but does someone know if there is research done on the number of women who considered abortion, but ultimately delivered their babies and the subsequent risk for disorders?
That’s an interesting question. I have no knowledge of such a study and quite frankly, if it existed, I don’t think that the results would be in favor of the pro-abort argument.
But I can tell you about this one study: “Victims and Victors Speaking Out About their Pregnancies, Abortions, and Children Resulting from Sexual Assault” edited by David C. Reardon, Julie Makimaa and Amy Sobie. from the Elliott Institute website:
afterabortion.org/Victims/index.htm
Drawn from a survey of nearly 200 women who have experienced rape or incest pregnancies, Victims and Victors reveals a seldom-heard truth: that most women who become pregnant through sexual assault do not want abortions. 80% of those who chose abortion after rape/incest said they regretted it while
none of those who carried the child to term said they wished they had had an abortion.
Quotes from the women in the book:
“After my daughter was born, it was love at first sight . . . I know I made the right decision in having her.” —Nancy “Cole”
“I, having lived through rape, and having raised a child ‘conceived in rape,’ feel personally assaulted and insulted every time I hear that abortion should be legal for rape and incest. I feel that we’re being used to further the abortion issue, even though we’ve not been asked to tell our side of the story.” —Kathleen DeZeeuw
“Often I cry. Cry because I could not stop the attacks. Cry because my daughter is dead. And I cry because it still hurts.” —Edith Young
“They say abortion is the easy way out, the best thing for everyone, but they are wrong. It has been over 15 years, and I still suffer.” —“Rebecca Morris”
“I thank God for the strength He gave me to go through the bad times and for all of the joy in the good times. I will never regret that I chose to give life to my daughter.” —Mary Murray
