Abortion's Aftermath

Since the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973, there have been more than 60 million abortions in our country. While some women report relatively little trauma following abortion, for many the experience is devastating, causing severe and long-lasting emotional, psychological, and spiritual trauma. What seemed to be a practical choice in response to an unplanned pregnancy can result in grief, guilt, shame, depression, alienation from family and friends, isolating from others, anger, and nightmares. Studies have also found that women who ended their first pregnancy by abortion are five times more likely to report substance abuse that women who carried to term. The suicide rate after an abortion is three times the general suicide rate (Focus on the Family)

The aftermath of abortion, however, goes beyond its effect on the baby and mother. Studies show that abortion leaves families heartbroken. Fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings feel the impact (RTL.org). Parents may notice a change in their daughter’s personality, particularly after an undisclosed abortion (Ramah’s Voice: Abortion Recovery Blog). Parents may grieve at the preventable loss of a grandchild and wonder if they could have intervened so that the child could be born. (Changed: Making Sense of Your Own or a Loved One’s Abortion Experience). Siblings, when aware of the abortion, also experience pain. It gives rise to many unresolved questions, emotions, and fears. (Ramah’s Voice: Abortion Recovery Blog).

Let us pray for an end to abortion and a restoration of a respect for life at every stage.