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Updated: May 5, 2026
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Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery
Published on: February 3, 2026
266
Psychological coping in the immediate post-abortion period
Kelly E Quinley1, Sarah J Ratcliffe, Courtney A Schreiber
11 Department of Emergency Medicine, Highland General Hospital , Alameda Health System, Oakland, California.
Journal of Women'S Health (2002)
|November 26, 2013
Summary
Women experience better psychological well-being after abortion than predicted. Early psychological assessments can identify individuals needing additional support post-abortion procedures.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Psychological Well-being
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Long-term psychological well-being in women post-abortion is established.
- Limited data exists on immediate (1-3 day) post-abortion psychological states.
- The immediate period is critical for timely interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess immediate psychological well-being following surgical abortion.
- To compare actual psychological outcomes with predicted coping.
- To identify predictors of post-procedural psychological concerns.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study design was employed.
- Participants undergoing first and second-trimester surgical abortion were included.
- Self-reported psychological well-being and coping were assessed pre- and post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Sixty-two of 148 patients completed questionnaires.
- Actual psychological coping scores improved by 38% beyond predictions.
- Pre-procedural psychological assessment scores correlated with post-procedural concerns (p=0.0376).
Conclusions:
- Women generally experience better-than-anticipated psychological well-being in the days following abortion.
- Pre-procedural psychological assessment can identify women requiring immediate post-abortion support.
- Optimism regarding abortion outcomes is often exceeded by actual psychological resilience.
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