News Briefs: Study Reveals Abortion Leads to Feelings of Distress
Study Reveals Abortion Leads to Feelings of Distress
A survey of patients at a New York state abortion clinic found widespread feelings of emotional distress among women who have had abortions.
The survey of 212 patients was conducted at Southern Tier Women’s Services in upstate New York over a period of four weeks. The results found that 36 percent of the women were concerned about how they would feel after the abortion; 32 percent said they felt sad about their decision; 23 percent said they experienced feelings of shame; and 6 percent said they had no one to talk to about the abortion.
Study Shows Negative Impact of 30 Years of Abortion on Women’s Health
A study reviewing 30 years of abortion research was published in the January 2003 issue of the Obstetric & Gynecological Survey, revealing the negative impact abortion has had on women’s health.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan concluded that abortion increases the risk of premature delivery, maternal depression, suicide, and other serious problems. The researchers say that more attention needs to be given to researching this issue and providing women with accurate information about abortion risks. The study is posted online at www.obgynsurvey.com.
Court Dismisses Federal Abortion Lawsuit
A three-judge appellate panel has upheld the dismissal of a wrongful death lawsuit challenging a New Jersey ban on such suits when the victim was an unborn child.
The lawsuit, filed under the pseudonym Donna Santa Marie, argued that Santa Marie was not adequately informed about the consequences of abortion when she sought an abortion at age 16. The appeals panel upheld a New Jersey law prohibiting wrongful death suits when the victim is an unborn child. The woman’s lawyer said they are planning to appeal the dismissal to either the full appellate court or the U.S. Supreme Court.
Planned Parenthood Negligent for Not Reporting Abuse, Judge Rules
A judge has ruled that Planned Parenthood of Arizona was negligent in failing to report performing an abortion on a 13-year-old girl who became pregnant by her 23-year-old foster brother.
According to clinic records, the girl told counselors the baby’s father was 14, and Planned Parenthood did not report the abuse until she returned to the clinic for another abortion six months later. The girl’s lawyers argued that their client was not old enough to consent to the abortion under Arizona’s parental consent law and that she was subjected to further abuse because of Planned Parenthood’s failure to report the first abortion.
