Abortion may, at first, seem like the easiest way to deal with an unplanned pregnancy; however, abortion is a life-changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual/moral consequences. Most women who struggle with past abortions wish they had been told all of the facts before making their choice.
Physical Risks:
Side effects may include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Abortion also carries the risk of significant complications such as bleeding, infection, damage to organs, and death.
Because abortion is an invasive procedure, it is important that you be screened for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) prior to the procedure, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. An unrecognized STD (such as gonorrhea or chlamydia) can spread into the uterus during an abortion and cause complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or internal bacterial infections.
Medical/Chemical Abortion:
The risks of chemical abortion (RU486 and M&M) include heavy bleeding, hemorrhage, severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a high risk of fetal deformities if abortion fails, or death. The full abortion may occur anytime or anywhere and may take 9-14 days. If it fails, surgical abortion is necessary.
Disclaimer: New Path is not a medical facility and we do not have a physician on staff. We provide pregnancy termination education. We do not refer for or perform pregnancy terminations.
Emotional Impact:
Some women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes after many years.
This emotional response is known as Post Abortion Stress (PAS) and symptoms can include:
- Guilt
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Anniversary grief
- Flashbacks of abortion
- Sexual dysfunction
- Relationship problems
- Eating disorders
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Psychological reactions
Spiritual/Moral Consequences:
Whatever your present beliefs about God may be, there is a spiritual side to abortion that deserves to be considered. Having an abortion may have an impact on your relationship with God. What is God's desire for you in this situation? How does God see your unborn child? These are important questions to consider. We can help you work through these questions.
