Understanding the Implications of Abortion: Physical & Emotional Health

Abortion is a big life decision for any person. Not only does it affect the woman, but also the man concerned. It has both physical as well as medical implications. - Post-abortion stress A woman may suffer from post-abortion stress. During an abortion there are feelings varying from regret to relief, and sometimes both together. There may be extreme mood swings too. After the abortion, the woman may go into depression if there is too much stress on her mind. It is typically advised for women to see a psychiatrist after an abortion, even if they do feel alright. An important thing to remember is that there is no 'right' way to feel. Every person is different, and as such might feel entirely different emotions. Also, it is wrong to assume that only women may suffer from such stress. Often the potential father also suffers from stress or depression. The correct remedy for this is to accept your feelings and see a psychiatrist. - Abortion affecting relationships Often, the will of the woman is taken as supremely important. If there is a disagreement between the child-bearing woman and the to-be father, the general view is that the woman should have the final say as she is 'carrying the baby within her'. In countries like China, the father cannot force the mother to bear his child or to have an abortion. The decision solely rests upon the woman. However this view is myopic as the father has an equal hand in the creation of the child. This view tends to affect relationships. When women get an abortion without the consent of the father it leads to problems.