Post-abortion attitudes and patterns of birth control

Among 63 women questioned one year after a first trimester abortion at an outpatient clinic, over 75 percent had mature, well-considered reasons for having chosen abortion and felt secure in their decision. Their feelings and attitudes toward themselves and abortion were strongly positive, with a few expressions of unresolved guilt, regret, or depression. They had become more responsible about contraceptive use, more interested in planning future pregnancies, and had experienced little change in sexual habits. Although only 21 percent (13 women) had employed contraception when they became pregnant, 76 percent (48 women) were using effective methods of birth control one year after abortion. Furthermore, over one third felt they were better able to deal with problems and had learned more about their coping capacity as a result of the crisis.