[Psychological aspects of abortion]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Psychological Support
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Abortion counseling requires careful consideration of women's psychological experiences.
• Orthogenic teams, involved in patient care, benefit from understanding psychological dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide recommendations for counseling women seeking abortions.
• To explore the psychological experiences of healthcare teams involved in abortion care.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive bibliographic search was conducted across major medical databases (Medline, PubMed, Cochrane) and other relevant sources.
• The literature review covered publications from 1990 to 2016.

Main Results:

• Respecting patient autonomy regarding ultrasound viewing and abortion timing is recommended.
• Women's satisfaction increases when offered a choice of abortion methods, available across gestational ages.
• No link was found between induced abortion and increased psychiatric disorders.
• Regular professional team meetings are beneficial and should be implemented.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing psychological support involves active listening and respecting women's decisions.
• Collaborative, team-based approaches are essential for effective patient care and professional well-being.