Abortion Myth About Depression Falls Before Science

[David Baxter PhD]

Abortion Myth About Depression Falls Before Science
By Bonnie Erbe, US News Blog
December 04, 2008

First, there was the widely discredited claim that abortion raised breast cancer rates. Then, so-called pro-lifers avowed that women who had abortions became profoundly depressed afterwards. The list of myths propagated by right-wing abortion foes goes on and on. Today, yet another claim fell prey to scientific accuracy:

The researchers reviewed all English-language, peer-reviewed publications between 1989 and 2008 that studied relationships between abortion and long-term mental health.

They analyzed those that included valid mental health measures and factored in pre-existing mental health status and potentially confusing factors.

"The best quality studies indicate no significant differences in long-term mental health between women in the United States who choose to terminate a pregnancy and those who do not," they wrote.

"...studies with the most flawed methodology consistently found negative mental health consequences of abortion," they added. "Scientists are still conducting research to answer politically motivated questions."​

And the fight to deny women the right to control their own fertility is still going on, even though the nation has elected a president with a deep commitment to abortion rights. On his way out the door, President Bush is trying to pay off debts to the Christian right by changing federal medical rules:

For more than 30 years, federal law has protected the rights of doctors and nurses to refuse to perform abortions. Now, in his last weeks in office, President Bush is expected to announce a "right of conscience rule" that would clarify and possibly extend what healthcare workers may refuse to provide based on moral convictions.

The rule, supported by the Christian Medical Association (CMA) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, would (1) clarify that healthcare workers not only may refuse to perform abortions, but may also refuse to provide information or advice regarding them; (2) protect more medical employees, such as operating-room technicians involved in but not central to abortion procedures; and (3) possibly include artificial insemination and birth control as things workers could refuse to provide or give advice on.​

I remember in 2001 watching President Bush undo so many of the gains women's rights advocates made under President Clinton. And as a member of the Bush cabinet told me, "Elections have consequences." They sure do. But this time the pendulum is swinging in the direction of the future, not the past.

 

[jacie]

If you're so obuse as not to see the light on this issue, I wish to cancel my membership. I have somehow never felt like I have ever received any help on this site and now I know why - you talk in circles and cannot see the truth in front of your nose.

Jacie

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Abortion Myth About Depression Falls Before Science
By Bonnie Erbe, US News Blog
December 04, 2008

I am not the author of this article; I simply posted it for the members of this forum to read. I do not necessarily endorse the opinions of articles by other authors that I post on this forum. In fact, sometimes articles are posted that I totally disagree with and I post my own arguments against the conclusions drawn by the original author(s).

In this case, the article is pointing out that the evidence indicates that significant negative mental health outcomes is not a necessary outcome of abortion. That does not deny that some women do experience nagative mental health outcomes. It means only that many do not.

 

[NicNak]

If you're so obuse as not to see the light on this issue, I wish to cancel my membership. I have somehow never felt like I have ever received any help on this site and now I know why - you talk in circles and cannot see the truth in front of your nose.

Jacie

Dr. Baxter, I believe most of us understood the meaning behind this artical. I know I did. People who are against anything, can try to set fear into other people to detur them against making the choices, out of that fear. This artical is just explaining the findings of what is a myth. I read nothing more or nothing less into this artical.

I think it is great that you post articals to make us think. Even if one is disagreement of the abortion issue of the artical. If one's mind is closed to certian ideas, one can see it as offensive regardless of it's content.

I still hope you continue to post articals as you do. Regardless of the political and ethical debates regarding abortion, it is still currently a legal right we have. It is important that people know the truth behind the fallacies that could influence someone against doing what is right feel is right for them

I hope this negative response to this artical does not detur you from posting further articals. It is important that people know all sides of debates and the real facts.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Thank you, NicNak, and no, it won't deter me from posting other articles at all.

 

[NicNak]

P.S. There is lots of help on this site. More than any other forum I have ever joined and I have joined lots looking for information and support.

You by far have the best, don't forget it

As I always say "when in need of help I must reach, even if it is just my pinky finger, for someone to reach down to pull me up"
===============

Thank you, NicNak, and no, it won't deter me from posting other articles at all.

You are welcome :support: < hope the pat on the head doesn't mess up your hair

 

[David Baxter PhD]

A little messy hair never hurt anyone...

 

[Daniel E.]

99 Percent Of People Who Have Abortions Still Feel It Was The Right Decision 5 Years Later

Abortion is almost never regretted, yet laws like those in Texas only serve to hurt people who need this safe, common medical procedure. Here’s what abortion really looks like in 2021.

www.womenshealthmag.com

...Most of what we do hear about the procedure is actually just inaccurate. A few examples: Abortion isn’t uncommon. Nearly one in four people with a womb will have one before they’re 45, per the Guttmacher Institute, and that number may be even higher when you take into account unreported abortions. Secondly, abortion isn’t dangerous. In fact, it’s safer than childbirth, found a study in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. Abortions aren’t just for young women. While most of the TV shows and movies that depicted abortions last year featured white, childless teens seeking care, the majority of people who get abortions are already parents, per Guttmacher.

Another hugely important fact: Abortion is almost never regretted. Ninety-nine percent of people with unwanted pregnancies who are able to get an abortion still feel it was the right decision five years out, per the Turnaway Study, the largest study of experiences with abortion in the U.S. When looking back on the procedure, relief is the most common emotion people who have abortions feel over those five years, a study in Social Science & Medicine found. Those who have abortions also have no increase in their risk for mental health issues over time, and initially following the procedure, are less likely to experience anxiety and low self-esteem than those who are denied abortions. They also have six times higher odds of having positive one year plans and are more likely to achieve them...

People who live in communities that strongly oppose abortion are more likely to suffer negative mental health effects from it, even though they personally feel confident they made the right decision for them, per the Turnaway Study. And the more stigma a patient felt when they got their abortion, the more psychological distress they had as a result five years out. “This speaks to the negative power of shame surrounding abortion,” says Dr. Shah. “We need to normalize abortion as a common part of people’s reproductive lifespan, like miscarriage, infertility, and adoption.”

Unfortunately, stigma can come from even well-meaning people and self-described supporters of abortion, too (say, a friend who says, “I’m pro-choice but I’d never get an abortion”). Stigma exists in the medical community, too, especially against people who have had multiple abortions or are nearing the end of their reproductive years, adds Dr. Shah. “I had a patient, who was 41, come to me crying, telling me another doctor had told her she should continue the pregnancy because this could be her last chance. Not once did her doctor ask her how she felt about it,” says Dr. Shah.

For a lot of patients, their doctor is the only person they feel they can talk to about their abortion, so that conversation can have a deep and lasting impact on the patient’s perception of it, says Dr. Shah. “I tell people it’s really common and that they’re not alone and their shoulders always drop in relief. I used to be afraid to tell people I was an abortion provider, but once I started slowly coming out about it, I was met with a lot of compassion. Sometimes we hide because we think we’re the only ones, but the reality is that everyone has an experience with abortion.”