Supporters of legal abortion often argue that few women who obtain abortions either suffer emotionally or regret their abortion decision. However, a new study provides powerful evidence that a significant percentage of women who obtain chemical abortions actually do experience feelings of regret. This study, commissioned by the group Support After Abortion and conducted by Shapard Research, also found that a significant percentage of women who had chemical abortions sought help afterwards.
Specifically, the study found that 34 percent of women who obtained chemical abortions said that their outlook on themselves or their decision changed negatively since their abortion. Twenty-four percent reported that they searched for help after their abortion experiences. An additional 39 percent of women did not seek help but said that they could have benefited from talking to someone. Overall, while some women who obtained chemical abortions experienced relief, others said the experience was more painful, physically and emotionally, than they had anticipated. Even more concerning was that 82 percent of the women who had obtained chemical abortions did not know where get help afterwards
Some research on the psychological impact of abortion receives criticism for relying on volunteer participants who often have strong opinions about either their own abortion experience or the legality of abortion. However, one of the strengths of this particular study was its rigorous research design. It conducted a random sample of over 14,000 women to identify 114 women who obtained chemical abortions. It analyzes a more representative sample of women who obtained chemical abortions than do other studies that rely on volunteers.
The RU-486 chemical-abortion pill was approved by the FDA in the year 2000. Since then, the number of chemical abortions has grown dramatically. According to the Guttmacher Institute, in 2020 more than half of all abortions were chemical abortions. Furthermore, this percentage is likely to increase. The Biden administration’s FDA is allowing women to obtain chemical abortions without an in-person medical exam. Furthermore, supporters of legal abortion are trying to circumvent the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision by sending chemical-abortion pills to women through the mail.
Give that, more research on the mental-health impact of chemical abortions is needed. This research would be helpful to both women considering chemical abortions and pro-life groups that counsel post-abortive women. Overall, this methodologically rigorous study makes a nice contribution. It provides strong statistical evidence that feelings of regret are common among women who obtain chemical abortions.