Is Abortion a Safe Procedure?

Short-term complications:

• About 1 in 10 women undergoing elective abortion suffers immediate complications, of which one-fifth are considered life threatening.

• Common major complications are:

1. infection
2. embolism
3. convulsions
4. cervical injury
5. ripping or perforation of the uterus
6. excessive bleeding
7. anesthesia complications
8. hemorrhage
9. endotoxic shock

• Minor complications include:

1. infection
2. fever
3. vomiting
4. bleeding
5. second-degree burns
6. chronic abdominal pain 

(Abortion Risks and Complications, copyright 1997, 2000 Elliot Institute. Compiled by David C. Reardon,Ph.D. www.afterabortion.org)

Depression

• Women whose first pregnancies ended in abortion were 65% more likely to be at high risk of clinical depression.

(Cougle JR, Reardon DC, Coleman PK. "Depression associated with abortion and childbirth: a long -term analysis of the NLSY cohort." Med Sci Monit, 2003; 9(4): CR105-112)

• After their abortions, married women were 138% more likely to be at high risk of clinical depression compared to similar women who carried their first pregnancies to rem.

(Reardon DC, Cougle JR. "Depression and unintended pregnancy in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth: a cohort study." British Medical Journal, 324: 121-152)

• Women were 63% more likely to receive mental health care within 90 days of an abortion compared to delivery. In addition, abortion was most strongly associated wit subsequent treatment for neurotic depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment reactions and schizophrenic disorders.

(Coleman PK, Reardon DC, Rue VM, Cougle JR. "State-funded abortion vs. deliveries: A comparison of outpatient mental health claims over five years." American Journal of Orthopsychiaatry, 2002, Vol. 72, No. 1, 141-152)

• A survey of post-abortive women found that:

1. 60% commented that the decision to abort made their lives worse, and
2. 94% regretted the decision to abort.

(Survey of Reaction to Abortion, "The Post-Abortion Review, Fall 1994. pp.6-8)
 

Death

• Women who had abortions were almost twice as likely to die in the following two years. Also, over the next eight-year period women who aborted had:

1. 154% higher risk of death from suicide,
2. 82% higher risk of death from accidents,
3. 44% higher risk of death from natural causes.

(Reardon DC, Ney PG, Scheuren FJ, Cougle JR, Coleman, PK, Strahan T. "Deaths associated with pregnancy outcome: a record linkage study of low income women." Southern Medical Journal, August 2002, 95(8): 834-841)

Substance Abuse 

• Women with history of abortion are twice as likely to use alcohol, five times more likely to use illicit drugs and 10 times more likely to use marijuana during the first pregnancy they carry to term compared to non-abortive women.

(Coleman PK, Reardon DC, Rue VM, Cougle JR. "History of induced abortion in relation to substance use during pregnancies carried to term." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. December 2002; 187(5)
 
Breast Cancer

• A met-analysis of 28 reports concluded that induced abortion is a significant independent risk factor for breast cancer.

(J. Brind, et all, "Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis," Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Vol. 50, 481-496.)

• Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those had an abortion was 50% higher than among other women. Women 18 and under or 30 and over at higher risk.

(JR. Daling, et all, "Risk pf breast cancer among young women: relationship to induced abortion," Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Vol. 86, 21 (1994).)

• One abortion almost doubles breast cancer risk; two or more abortions further increases risk.

(Elliot Institute, "A List of major Physical Sequelae Related to Abortion." www.afterabortion.org)

Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Of patients who have chlamydia at the time of the abortion, 23% develop PID within four weeks. Studies found that 20-27% of patients seeking abortion have chlamydia. About 5% of patients not infected by chlamydia develop PID within four weeks after a first trimester abortion.  

(Abortion Risks and Complications, @ 1997, 200 Elliot Institute. Compiled by David C. Reardon, Ph.D.)

Future pregnancy risks

Women who had one, two or more induced abortions are about 200% more likely to have a subsequent preterm delivery, compared to women who carry to term. Preterm delivery increases the risk of neonatal death and handicaps.

Prior induces abortion increases the risk of delayed delivery. Women who had one, two or more induced abortions are about 200% more likely to have post-term delivery (over 42 weeks)

(Abortion Risks and Complications, @ 1997, 2000 Elliot Institute. Compiled by David C Reardon, Ph.D.)
 

Prior induced abortion is associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. There is a significant correlation between the number of previous induced abortions and ectopic pregnancy risk.

(C. Tharaux-Deneux, et al.. "Risk of ectopic pregnancy and previous induced abortion," American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 88, Issue 3 401 - 405 [1998].)

Mothers younger than 20 years old

• Teenagers, who account for about 30% of all abortions, are at a much higher risk for many long-term complications related to abortion.

(Abortion Risks and Complications, @ 1997, 2000 Elliot Institute. Compiled by David C Reardon, Ph.D.)

• A teenage girl is 10 time more likely to attempt suicide if she has had an abortion ion the last six months than is comparable teenage girl who has not had an abortion.

(Garfinkel, et al., Stress, Depression and Suicide: A Study of Adolescents in Minnesota, [Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 1986]. Cited in the Post-Abortion Review 1 [2] Summer 1993. @ 1993 Elliot Institute.)

Spiritual Health

• Direct abortion is gravely contrary to the moral law. Formal cooperation in abortion risks the loos of one's eternal salvation. (I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live. [Deuteronomy 30:19] ).