Abortion? Facts & Fiction

FICTION: A relatively small number of abortions take place

FACT:

• One out of every 4 pregnancies conceived in the United States is terminated through abortion (about 1.2 million per year).
• In more than 14 metropolitan areas, abortions outnumber live births.
• More than 30 million abortions have occurred since 1973.
• Approximately 45% of women seeking abortion today have had at least one prior abortion.

Why?

The most common reported reason is relational problems with the father of the child, worry about the responsibility, fear of financial liability, concern about lifestyle changes, and fear of others discovering sexual activity.

The Law

Under the Supreme Court's decisions in Roe v. Wade, Doe v. Bolton, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, abortions may be performed for any reason (socio-economic, failure of birth control, personal choice) before 24 weeks and for any reason relating to the mother's physical or psychological health thereafter. In these cases (abortions after 24 weeks), the term "health" has been defined very broadly by the Court to include any matter that might affect a woman's "sense of well-being." In effect, therefore, abortion is legal for any "health" reason throughout your pregnancy.

FICTION: Abortion is safe

FACT:

The rate of major complications resulting from abortion is usually reported at around 2%. The risk of complications rises as pregnancy progresses. In many cases, the physicians may not even know complications occur, as many women do not contact them if they experience problems, and many women fail to return for follow-up appointments.

Death

The CDC reports that between 1979 and 1986, almost 5% of maternal deaths were due to abortion (including spontaneous abortions), for a total number of 124. The leading causes of death from abortion were hemorrhage from uterine bleeding, generalized infection, and blood clots in the lungs. However, many abortion-related deaths are not listed as such, but as a complication of childbirth or to some factor caused by the abortion, without mentioning the abortion.

Breast Cancer

On November 2, 1994, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a study reporting on the relationship between abortion and breast cancer. The following are the most relevant results directly quoted from the study:

• Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women.
• Highest risks were observed when the abortion was done at ages younger than 18 years - particularly if it took place after 8 weeks gestation - or at 30 years of age or older.
• The data supports the hypothesis that an induced abortion can adversely influence a woman's subsequent risk of breast cancer. However, the results across all epidemiologic studies of this premise are inconsistent - both overall and within specific sub-groups. This risk of breast cancer should be re-examined in future studies of women who have had legal abortion available to them throughout the majority of their reproductive years, with particular attention to the potential influence of induced abortion early in life.

FICTION: The fetus is not a human, just a mass of tissue

FACT:

As soon as the sperm joins with the egg, the DNA has been determined including sex and eye and hair color. By the 20th day after conception, the foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are already established, and the HEART BEGINS TO BEAT. For more, see the Fetal Development Page.

FICTION: There are no long-term affects to abortion

FACT:

Over the years, many studies have shown some degree of post-abortion trauma or negative effects. Some studies have demonstrated that these effects extend even to men involved in abortions as well as siblings of the aborted fetus.

Studies within the first few weeks after the abortion have found that between 40 and 60 percent of women questioned report negative reactions. Within 8 weeks after their abortions, 55% expressed guilt, 44% complained of nervous disorders, 36% had experienced sleep disturbances, 31% had regrets about their decision, and 11% had been prescribed psychotropic medicine by their family doctor.

In a study of teenage abortion patients, half suffered a worsening of psychosocial functioning within 7 months after the abortion. The immediate impact appeared to be greatest on the patients who were under 17 years of age and for those with previous psychosocial problems. Symptoms included: self-reproach, depression, social regression, withdrawal, obsession with need to become pregnant again, and hasty marriages.

For more about post-abortion, see the After Abortion page.

Sources:
Ashton,"They Psychosocial Outcome of Induced Abortion", British Journal of Ob&Gyn.(1980),vol.87,p1115-1122.
Wallerstein,et.al., "Psychosocial Sequelae of Therapeutic Abortion in Young Unmarried Women", Archives of General Psychiatry (1972) vol.27.