The word “abortion” has a strong emotional connotation. A fast Google search of “abortion pros and disadvantages” yields a slew of op-ed pieces outlining why abortion is “good” or “bad,” and whether it should be allowed or outlawed. However, for a woman attempting to make the best option for herself and her baby, the heated debate over the benefits and drawbacks of abortion does little to assist her in making a decision.
When considering your unplanned pregnancy choices, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by other people’s opinions, whether they come from friends, family members, or material you find online when researching abortion’s benefits and drawbacks. The most essential thing to keep in mind is that only you can decide whether or not abortion is right for you.
But, to do so, you must know all of the information. By learning the genuine benefits and drawbacks of abortion, you may feel more certain that you’re making an informed decision, whatever that decision may be. Continue reading for a complete, unbiased list of the advantages and disadvantages of abortion to consider as you make your choice.
Pros Of Abortion:
No woman wants to be faced with the decision of whether or not to abort her pregnancy. Even though choosing abortion might be a difficult decision, many women do so because they believe the benefits exceed the risks in their particular scenario.
It’s vital to note that each woman’s situation is unique; what one woman considers to be an abortion pro may be considered an abortion con by another. While this is not an exhaustive list of reasons why women choose abortion, the following are some of the advantages for those who do:
- The majority of women are happy with their abortion decision: While abortion is a difficult decision to make, and most women will feel sadness and loss in the immediate aftermath, studies have shown that the majority of women do not endure long-term emotional problems as a result of an abortion.
- Abortion is an option for mothers whose unborn children have been diagnosed with serious health problems: After learning that their baby has a severe abnormality or a life-threatening disease that will cause death before or shortly after delivery, some mothers choose abortion.
- For women in life-threatening situations, abortion is a viable option: In certain situations, a woman chooses abortion because carrying the pregnancy to term might endanger her life.
- Abortion can be used as a substitute for parenting: Abortion, like adoption, is a choice for women who are not ready to parent a child. Because she lacks the time, money, health, stability, or desire to raise a child at this stage in her life, and expecting mother may choose abortion (or adoption).
As a result, extra abortion benefits may be available, allowing women to pursue their school or professional aspirations while also working toward greater financial security. Furthermore, evidence suggests that abortion may reduce crime rates by lowering the number of undesired children, as well as the likelihood of maternal depression, child abuse, physical violence during pregnancy, and other issues.
- Abortion empowers women by giving them autonomy over their bodies: One of the main advantages of adoption, according to pro-choice advocates, is the freedom it gives women; the opportunity to choose abortion gives women more discretion over whether and when they have children.
- The majority of abortions have a modest medical risk: One of the benefits of abortion is that it is often a safe treatment with low medical hazards when conducted lawfully, especially when performed early in the pregnancy. Every year, thousands of abortions are safely done, with the majority of women experiencing relatively minor side effects.
- Abortion is a method of avoiding pregnancy: The only unintended pregnancy option that permits a woman to terminate her pregnancy before the baby is delivered is abortion. Because they are not ready to experience pregnancy and delivery, many women choose abortion.
While abortion is not ideal, these advantages of abortion may assist expecting moms who are debating whether or not to have an abortion to realize the benefits of their decision.
However, before making a final decision, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits of abortion against the risks and drawbacks of this unexpected pregnancy alternative.
Cons of Abortion:
While abortion may be the best decision for certain women under specific situations, it is not for everyone. There are also some abortion disadvantages to consider. Many women who are considering their alternatives for an unwanted pregnancy eventually decide against abortion because it causes them personal emotional, spiritual, financial, or logistical challenges.
If you’re facing an unanticipated pregnancy, here are several abortion disadvantages to consider:
- Abortion must be decided on early in the pregnancy: The majority of abortions occur during the first trimester of pregnancy. After then, finding abortion services becomes considerably more difficult, and medical hazards increase. This implies that women who want an abortion must find out about their unintended pregnancy early on, make an abortion choice soon, and make the appropriate preparations to get and pay for the abortion during the first few months of their pregnancy.
As a result, abortion is not a choice for everyone, and time pressures may force some women to make a hasty abortion decision that they subsequently regret.
- Abortion is against the religious convictions of some women: Some women who are faced with an unintended pregnancy may desire an abortion but are conflicted because they believe abortion is immoral due to religious or moral views. They may believe that by choosing abortion, they are going against God or denying their kid the right to life.
- When a mother opts for abortion, she will never meet her kid: Women who choose abortion will miss out on the whole experience of pregnancy and delivery, as well as the chance to meet and watch their kid grow up as they would with parenting or open adoption. Some mothers afterward wonder what their kid would have been like if they had given birth to him or her.
- In certain states, parental consent is required for abortion: Parental notice laws exist in some states, requiring minors to get permission from one or both parents before having an abortion. For young women who do not want their parents to know about their unwanted pregnancy, this is a big disadvantage of abortion.
- It may be difficult to obtain an abortion: Some expectant moms may travel many hours to receive abortion services, and depending on state regulations, they may have to make multiple trips for the required counseling and medical procedures.
- Others may be harsh in their judgments of women who choose abortion: Pro-life groups frequently protest abortion clinics or harass abortion practitioners and women seeking abortion services in various ways. Some women can encounter severe criticism from friends, family members, and others who are aware of their abortion decision and disagree with it.
- There are potentially small health concerns and adverse effects associated with abortion: While legal abortions are largely safe, like any other medical operation, they do contain certain uncommon but substantial risks and adverse effects. Pain, discomfort, hemorrhage, infection, and, in rare situations, harm to internal organs or adverse drug responses are among them. Abortions performed later in pregnancy are more likely to result in problems, so talk to your doctor about what to expect during and after your abortion.
- Abortion may be expensive: While abortion is less expensive than bringing a kid to adulthood, it is not necessarily a low-cost surgery. The average cost of an early-term abortion is roughly 38k, with later-term abortions costing significantly more, often up to thousands of dollars. Many insurance coverages do not cover the cost of elective abortion, therefore many women must pay for it out of cash.