Table of Contents
Detrimental Effects of Abortion: An
Annotated Bibliography With Commentary
Copyright © 2001 Thomas W. Strahan
Introductory Material
Note On Corrections and Recommendations
Supplements and Updates x
Editor’s Introduction xi
Editor’s Discussion of Key Research Findings and
Conclusions xii
Standard of Care for Abortion
Abortion Procedures - Standards and Guidelines 1
Informed Consent
4
Abortion Decision-Making
General Background Studies
8
Crisis Theory 11
Pregnancy as a Crisis ` 12
Pregnancy Reactions/Unwanted Pregnancy 15
Characteristics of Women Having Induced Abortion 18
Abortion Decision Making - Role of Males 20
Adoption as An Option 23
Psychological Effects of Abortion
Validity of Studies 24
Risk Factors for Adverse Emotional Consequences of
Abortion 26
Post-Abortion Stress/Trauma/Post-Abortion Syndrome 26
Grief and Loss 30
General Background Studies 30
Grief and Loss Following Abortion 34
Guilt 36
General Background Studies 36
Abortion-Related Guilt/Regret/Violation of
Conscience
or Belief 38
Ambivalence or Inner Conflict 40
Anxiety 41
Intrusion/Avoidance/Dreams/Nightmares 42
Denial 44
Dissociation 49
Narcissism 50
Self-Image 51
Self-Punishment (Masochism) or Punishment of Others
(Sadism) 52
Depression 53
General Background Studies 53
Abortion-Related Depression 56
Depression Shortly Prior to Abortion 57
Depression During Subsequent Pregnancies 58
Anniversary Depressive Reactions 59
Depressive Reactions from Genetic Abortion 60
Short Term Depressive Reactions 61
Long Term Depressive Reactions 63
Psychiatric or Psychological Hospitalization or Consultation 65
Self-Destructive Behavior 66
Suicide 66
Accidents 69
Repeat Abortions 70
Eating Disorders 78
Substance Abuse 80
General Background Studies (Substance Abuse) 80
Substance Abuse and Induced Abortion 83
Smoking 88
Long-Terms Effects of Abortion 94
Replacement Pregnancies/Rapid Repeat Pregnancies
After Abortion 98
Sterilization 99
Impact of Abortion On Others 100
Men And Abortion 100
Abortion’s Impact on Siblings 107
Impact of Abortion on Marriage and Family 110
Violence 121
“Wantedness” as a Factor in Child Abuse 121
Child Abuse and Its Relationship to Abortion 122
Child Neglect or Failure to Bond 124
Family Violence and Abortion 126
Abortion as a Risk Factor for Violence During
Pregnancy 127
Homicide of Women During and Following Pregnancy 129
Sexual Assault Pregnancy and Abortion 130
Rape 130
Incest 133
Second and Third Trimester Abortion 135
Social Effects and Implications of Abortion
Outcome - Refused Abortions 137
Sex Selection Abortion 139
Genetic Engineering 141
Deterioration of Economic and Social Conditions
Following Abortion 142
Abortion and Race or Poverty 143
Abortion and Religion 151
Decline of Religious Involvement After Abortion 154
Physical Effects of Abortion
Abortion Technique and Its Relationship to Adverse
Physical Effects 155
Short Term Complications and Other Aspects of
Morbidity 156
Immediate Physical Complications 159
Cervical Injuries 160
Perforated Uterus 161
Pain in Women 163
Acute Pain 163
Chronic Pain 164
Organ or System Failure 165
Cerebrovascular Diseases (Stroke) 165
Circulatory Diseases 165
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) 166
Amniotic Fluid Embolism 166
Pulmonary Embolism 167
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome 167
Infection Associated With Abortion 168
Septic Abortion 168
Acute Renal Failure from Septic Abortion 168
Autoimmune Disease 168
Endometritis 169
Genital Tract Infection 170
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) 172
General Background Studies 172
Abortion-Related Pelvic Inflammatory Disease 174
Bacterial Vaginosis 177
Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection 179
Gonnorhea 181
HIV/AIDS 182
Hepatitis 185
Use of Antibiotics in Connection With Induced
Abortion 185
Impact on Later Pregnancies 188
Secondary Infertility 188
Uterine Fibroids 189
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease 189
Hypertension (High-Blood Pressure) 190
Ectopic Pregnancy 192
Placenta Previa/Aburuptio Placentae/Retained Placenta 196
Subsequent Miscarriage, Premature Birth or Low Birth
Weight 198
Neonatal Infection 204
Intraamniotic Infection 204
Subsequent Fetal Malformation/Birth Defects 204
Cancer Risk Associated With Abortion 206
General Studies 206
Breast Cancer 206
Protective Effect of “Early Childbirth” 207
Induced Abortion as an Independent Risk Factor 209
Cervical Cancer 214
Ovarian Cancer 219
Endometrial Cancer 222
Lung Cancer 224
Colon and Rectal Cancer 226
Other Cancers 227
Abortion and Maternal Mortality
Maternal Death from Abortion 227
Pregnancy-Associated Mortality 233
Adolescents and Abortion
Adolescent Developmental Issues 235
Abortion Decision-Making Among Adolescents 243
Pregnant Teenagers’ Reliance on Others to Make
Pregnancy Resolution Decisions 246
Adolescent Abortion and Parental Involvement 247
Parental Notice or Consent 247
Effect of Parental Involvement Laws 248
Necessity of Parental Involvement 249
Family Estrangement 249
Parental Reaction to Pregnancy 251
Profile of Adolescents Not Disclosing Pregnancy
or Abortion to Parents 252
Availability of Financial Resources as a Factor 252
Adolescent Violation of Conscience or Belief 255
Adolescent Long Term Psychological Sequelae 256
Adolescent Demographic Data 256
Differential Physical Complications of Adolescent
Abortion 257
Adolescent Risk of Breast Cancer 258
Definition of Terms 260
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