Women who have an abortion may have a lesser immediate emotional reactions than those who miscarry, but the long-term impact may be stronger for some. Researchers from the University of Oslo conducted a study, which included 120 women between the ages of 18 and 45; 80 had an abortion before the 14th week of pregnancy, and 40 miscarried in the first or second trimester. The women completed standard questionnaires on avoidance and intrusion symptoms 10 days, six months and two years after the miscarriage or abortion. The researchers found that women who had an abortion two years earlier were more likely to have suppressing thoughts and feelings about the event than those who had a miscarriage. Overall, nearly 17 percent of 80 women who had an abortion scored highly on a scale measuring such avoidance symptoms, compared with about three percent of those who miscarried. That's in contrast to responses 10 days after the miscarriage or abortion, when nearly half of those who miscarried and 30 percent of those who had an abortion scored highly on measures of avoidance or intrusion, which includes symptoms such as flashbacks and bad dreams. The study found that women with strong feelings of shame, grief or loss at the first time point were more likely to have continuing symptoms of avoidance or intrusion two years out than others. The findings suggest that women who have an abortion or miscarriage should be encouraged to talk about their feelings instead of holding them inside. Suppression of thoughts and feelings connected to an event is not a healthy way to deal with difficult psychological responses. It is better to talk about what happened, let the natural feelings come out. This suggests that doctors should be extra observant of such women over the long term, and be ready to provide them with more follow-up care. Family and friends should also be prepared to give support.
Psychosomatic Medicine,
May 2004