Is abortion the “solution” for an unwanted pregnancy?
When a person has physical or mental health problems, they seek medical advice. The doctor analyzes the symptoms and recommends appropriate treatment. Often, a doctor prescribes drugs that fight the symptoms, be it a cold, an allergy, headache, or stomach ache.
All prescription medication comes with instructions which indicate how to use the medication safely and effectively. Some instructions are directed to the patient (which uses simple and direct terms). Others are for the health professional (which uses more technical terminology).
Similarly, the world suggests “prescriptions” for what people should do in a given situation:
In a troubled marriage?: divorce.
Need to prove your masculinity or attractiveness?: have many romantic partners.
Unwanted pregnancy?: have an abortion.
This ignores the consequences of abortion.
Physical complications resulting from abortion are seldom mentioned by people who
encourage this practice: bleeding caused by perforation of the uterus, danger of injury to the intestines, bladder or fallopian tubes, infertility, inflammation of the fallopian tubes, death, problems with future pregnancies: increased risk of prematurity, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion and low birth weight of the baby.
Emotional complications include: lowered self-esteem resulting from destroying of one’s own child, frigidity (loss of sexual desire), anger at partner, feelings of guilt (sometimes for years later), frustration of a woman’s maternal instinct, nervous disorders, insomnia, psychosomatic illnesses, and depression.
Just as medical professionals inform clients about possible side effects of a medication, we inform women in crisis pregnancy situations about side effects and alternatives. Likewise, we are there to provide support to women (and men) suffering from side effects of “solutions” they cannot undo.