In a definitive study, the American Psychological Association has reported that: “The best scientific evidence published indicates that among adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy, the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective first-trimester abortion or deliver that pregnancy.”
Of course you’d like to think that this will stop anti-abortion groups quoting false “statistics”, and causing unnecessary stress and worry – but somehow I doubt it.
(And yes this only refers to one abortion – the association says the evidence is simply unclear on more.)
Another interesting quote in the piece: “Approximately half of women in the United States will face an unintended pregnancy during their lifetime, and about half of those who unintentionally become pregnant resolve the pregnancy through abortion,” the report says.
In the Australian state of Victoria, meanwhile, reports suggest there’ll be a considerable advance next week, with the introduction of a bill to give women the legal right to choose abortion.
“It is believed the bill will ensure that a woman’s consent provides lawful authority for an abortion up to 24 weeks’ gestation. After that, terminations would be unlawful unless doctors deemed continuing the pregnancy would pose a risk of harm to the woman.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews, who will introduce the bill, is expected to argue that it is designed to bring the law into line with community expectations and clinical practice.”
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