The emotional and psychological impact of abortion: a gynecologist breaks down

Miscarriage can be one of the most challenging and painful aspects of a woman’s life. There are many reasons why women tend to endure such hardship in their daily lives, from failed contraception to illegal gender-assignment abortions to being forced to abort a child that is developing abnormally. Most of these are grossly underreported due to the large social stigma attached to them. All of this definitely has a strong impact on their physical, psychological and social well-being.

It is essential to emphasize the emotional and psychological aspects of abortion. Everyone must work together to ensure that women experience a safe and well-supported abortion in India.

Abortions are common in India

Recent studies say that more than two-thirds of abortions in India are unsafe and widespread in rural India, particularly in the states of Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Jharkhand and Orissa, where most women are forced to do so after female sex determination. The sad state is probably due to:

• Poor socioeconomic and demographic characteristics
• Searching for the health of the poor
• Bad sexual practice among our youth
• Illiteracy about safe family planning measures
• The endless ancient Indian tradition of wanting a male child

All these factors can greatly endanger the health of an Indian woman.

Read also: Here’s everything you need to know about abortion in India

The younger generation is exposed to a higher risk of miscarriage

Young teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are at a higher risk of experiencing these abortion-related complications. Several factors such as early sexual initiation, poor sexual practices and lack of awareness about contraception are some of the factors that make young girls prone to forced abortion. Despite abortion being legal (under various circumstances), the high estimated prevalence of unsafe abortion is a major public health problem in India. Socio-economic vulnerability and poor access to health services combine to put large numbers of women in India at risk of unsafe abortion and abortion-related death.

Therapy is needed after an abortion

The entire event of pregnancy leading to abortion creates an emotional and mental threat in a woman’s life. Any woman of childbearing age who has an abortion is prone to great psychological distress, feelings of guilt and regret, low self-esteem, nightmares, a sense of failure as a mother, and constant thoughts – ‘will I ever become a mother? mother?’. Moreover, her plight is a major gap in the availability of psychological help and counseling in our current social system.

All a woman needs at this crucial and challenging stage is TLC – tender love and care. This requires therapeutic lifestyle changes that include:

• Eating a healthy diet and nutrition
• Good exercise regimes, including yoga and meditation techniques
• Relationship and social support of spouse, family and friends, relaxation and stress management
• Religious and spiritual involvement
• Positive and valuable advice from our mental health workers.

All this together can help women emerge from such a difficult and demanding period of life stronger and healthier.

Read also: So your condom broke. This way you can prevent an unplanned pregnancy

Stop believing these abortion myths for the sake of your mental health

Myth: “I can’t be a mom again”

Fact: Right after a miscarriage, it’s natural for any woman to feel unfit and unfit to be a mother. It is very important for young ladies to understand that with good social and mental support and valuable guidance from your gynecologists, counselors, therapists and psychiatrists, you can become a mother again. All you need is to seek medical help in time and complete pre-conception counseling before starting your next pregnancy.

Myth: “You shouldn’t exercise after a miscarriage”

Fact: Your post-abortion body needs a healthy diet rich in protein, fruit and vitamin supplements. A balanced exercise regimen in the form of yoga, meditation, aerobics, pilates, a long brisk walk or about 30-45 minutes of cycling every day is also important. You should exercise at least 5 days a week, which you can start when you feel comfortable, ready and physically strong enough. Your body needs about 2-3 months to recover before planning another pregnancy.

Read also: After the abortion, be careful and cautious. Follow these tips

It is important to fully integrate a healthy physical and mental lifestyle into our daily routine. With some sensible and rational lifestyle measures, it can help you come out of difficult but ordinary life situations stronger and healthier.