Running head: EFFECTS OF ABORTION LAWS 1

Effects of Government Created Abortion Laws that Harm Women

both Physically and Mentally

Giavanna M. Uvari

Nevada State College

both Physically and Mentally

“Abortion is part of being a mother and of caring for children, because part of caring for

children is knowing when its not a good idea to bring them into the world.” (Pollitt K. 2012) The

purpose of abortion is to “perform a procedure to save the life of the pregnant woman; to prevent

harm to the woman's physical or mental health, and to terminate a pregnancy where indications

are that the child will have a significantly increased chance of mortality or morbidity” (Ferris

1999). The idea behind abortion was never meant to be an ethical problem, yet the world has

found a way to make it one. Not having access to legal abortions due to government and state

created laws creates danger in the world of pregnancy, leading to increasing death rates among

pregnant women and their babies. While the federal government seemingly does everything it

can to help prevent unwanted pregnancies by women and teens, strict laws created that make

abortions impossible to carry out have a larger detrimental effect on womens physical and mental

health than getting an abortion.

Discussion

The controversy surrounding abortion has been apparent since the late 1800s. The famous

Roe vs. Wade case began the abortion debate in 1973. As time continued, different states were

allowed to alter their abortion laws from the government based on head figures and their

personal opinions. Decisions in states such as Alabama have shut down the option for abortion

completely, leaving mothers with slim options left. Unsafe and illegal abortions became

increasing popular after laws were put into place banning legal abortions in may states. The

negative effect these laws have had on women and their decisions regarding abortions are

detrimental to their health and provides reasons to be concered.

The two main ideas behind abortion and its controversy are pro-choice and pro-life.

These two separate ideas divide women all over the US due to the extremist points of view and

disagreements from both sides. If the mother-to-be concludes they cannot care for the child once

born or either the fetus or the mothers’ health will be compromised, or both, during pregnancy or

accompanying the birth, women still do not support others in their decisions. The option for

abortion is becoming slimmer by the day as government agencies are shutting down abortion and

reproductive clinics such as Planned Parenthood. “The number of clinics who perform abortions

is dropping by the year, with only 755 left in 2018 nationwide” (Congleton et. al, 1993). Each

state is required to have legal abortions options and currently all 50 states have at least one

abortion clinic, but the red tape some states produce make it harder to access legal abortions. The

combination of reduced abortion clincs and violent protesters outside any abortion clinics left is

resulting in an increasing number of abortions done at home using the Aid Access Pill or unsafe

methods.

History Behind Abortions

Roe vs. Wade was the first case ever to begin the abortion controversy both among the

citizens and government of the US. The document Pro-Life Activities explains decisions the

Supreme Court made to protect abortion rights following the case. “The Court also set up a

framework in which the woman's right to abortion and the state's right to protect potential life

shift: during the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman's privacy right is strongest and the state

may not regulate abortion for any reason; during the second trimester, the state may regulate

abortion only to protect the health of the woman; during the third trimester, the state may

regulate or prohibit abortion to promote its interest in the potential life of the fetus, except where
 4
EFFECTS OF ABORTION LAWS
abortion is necessary to preserve the woman's life or health” (Harrison, Nayler 1991). The 7-2

Supreme Court decision ruled that women have the right to choose between abortion or life. This

struck down the Texas abortion law as unconstitutional and created a foundation for controversy

to this day. As states started enforcing different abortion laws other court cases such as; Doe vs.

Bolton, Planned Parenthood vs. Danforth, Maher vs. Roe, Harris vs. McRae, and Hill vs.

Colorado among many more, began showing up in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of

abortion and its extent. The varying laws by state confused mothers and created an even bigger

debate on why some states sought abortion as a sin while others allowed it.

Unsafe and Illegal Abortions due to Laws Created Restricting Legal Procedures.: Due to

the strict anti-abortion laws created by some states, mothers-to-be undergo unsafe and illegal

abortions to terminate their pregnancy; this results in an increased risk for health problems, both

long term and short term, as well as increased mental illnesses. These “back street abortions” are

usually conducted in unsanitary areas with tools that are improperly sanitized. The lack of

medical supervision and medications leaves mothers in excruciating pain with an increased

chance for infection.

“You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health

includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion” (Clinton 2016).

Legal abortions lead to healthy women and helps prevent illegal and unsafe abortions. Without

the access to safe and legal abortions, many women report feeling depressed, guilt, or self-hatred

months to years after having an illegal abortion. About 25 million illegal documented abortions

occur in the US every year and 7 million of those result in complications according to The US

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Southern states such as Georgia are known to have the strictest anti-

abortion laws with one law stating “If a woman flies out of Georgia to have an abortion, the
 5
EFFECTS OF ABORTION LAWS
woman can be tried with murder or given a life sentence in jail if a fetal heartbeat was detected,

upon return” (An Overview of Abortion Laws 2019). Laws in Alabama state “Alabama doctors

can get their license revoked and jail time up to 99 years if they conduct an abortion after a

heartbeat is detected” (An Overview of Abortion Laws 2019). These strict laws leave desperate

mothers no option but to seek out unsafe abortions, leaving plenty of room for complications

with some as serious as death.

Psychological Effects Post-Abortion. : In 1992, the Journal of Social Issues dedicated

an entire article to the psychological effects of legal abortions. In an overview of the

contributors’ papers, the editor, Dr Gregory Wilmoth, concluded;

“There is now virtually no disagreement among researchers that some women experience

negative psychological reactions post abortion. Instead, the disagreement concerns the following:

(1) The prevalence of women who have these experiences …, (2) The severity of these negative

reactions …, (3) The definition of what severity of negative reactions constitutes a public health

or mental health problem …, [and] (4) The classification of severe reactions…,” (Wilmoth

1992). It is clear these four main ideas have evolved since 1992 but the foundation has stayed the

same. Mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD specific to post abortions are all very

common after both legal and illegal abortions. Brend Major conducted a study based on the

mental health of women post-abortion and reported her results: “2 years after their abortions,

1.5% of the remnant participates (38% of the 1177 eligible women, after dropouts) had all the

symptoms for abortion-specific post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)” (Major 2008). She also

found that rising rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD were more common 2-3 years post

abortion compared to 1 or 2 months post abortion. She states, “Women 2-3 years post-abortion

experienced lowering rates of positive reactions, relief, and decision satisfaction and higher rates
 6
EFFECTS OF ABORTION LAWS
of depression, anxiety, and negative feelings over all” (Major 2008). To further back up Majors’

research, a report from the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Task Force on Mental

Health and Abortion (TFMHA) agreed with her in that “it is clear that some women do

experience sadness, grief, and feelings of loss following termination of a pregnancy, and some

experience clinically significant disorders, including depression and anxiety” (APA). Abortion

presents great opportunities for women to make decisions about their body and future lifestyle.

Unfortunately, women fail to look at both the mental and physical aspects following their

abortion, and never realize PTSD, or other mental illnesses, can affect them until it occurs.

Speical Cases of Sickness or Rape.: In many present day cases, women are required to

carry their fetus to term and deliver due to strict laws created by the US government, even if the

fetus is severely sick, stillborn, or a result of rape. The mental health downgrade for mothers

placed in these situations is severe days to years following the birth of their dead fetus or child in

need of critical care. Going through the stages of pregnancy is supposed to be joyful and exciting

upon meeting the new arrival. Carrying a child to full term only to know you will never be able

to meet or love them due to health problems or because they are a daily reminder of a tragedy is

a terrifying, confusing thought. “Women who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest are

still required to carry their fetus to term in states such as Alabama. A law is in effect which states

“women cannot abort their fetus after 6 weeks even if the pregnancy is a result of rape, incest, or

any other involuntary sexual act”. Most women do not even know they are pregnant by that time

period.” (Crawley, Willman, Clark, Walsh, Clare, 2008) This unborn child is already a daily

reminder of the disgusting incident the mother encountered, can you imagine how it will be

treated upon arrival? An environment is created where the child is a daily reminder a tragedy

possibly resulting in the child not getting the love and care it deserves from its mother. In a way,
 7
EFFECTS OF ABORTION LAWS
abortion could be considered a sense of relief to the mother in cases such as severe sickness or

rape. Most pregnant women are still extremely sad over the thought of abortion, but if its a

known the mother cannot provide the financial or mental support the child will need growing up,

it may seem better to not give birth. This is a perfectly sane option, especially in the cases listed

above, and women should be provided the right to privacy to decide on how they would like to

deal with their pregnancy. Women should have access to safe and legal abortions and surrounded

by people who will not judge them for their decisions.

Planned Parenthood and the Effects of Shut Downs

Planned Parenthood plays a huge role in the legal abortion process nationwide and

provides support to pregnant mothers. This is a very positive government funded project that was

created to help reduce post abortion mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. Their goal is

also to reduce complications post abortion which are usually contracted through unsafe or

unsanitary procedures. Although Planned Parenthood specializes in abortions, they are also

known for much more as other services include; providing birth control, educating people on any

age of sex or pregnancy, giving prenatals and other essential care during pregnancy, STD testing,

well-woman exams, screenings for cancer, hormone therapy, and infertility care. Although these

other services are offered, more than 50% of the revenue from Planned Parenthood comes from

abortions alone. With the increasing amount of Planned Parenthoods being shut down, pregnant

mothers are forced to look elsewhere for a safe abortion and can easily be overwhelmed. Each

state is currently required to keep one legal abortion clinic open, but it does not have to be a

Planned Parenthood. The support from the “no judgement zone” gives women of all ages a

judgement free and purely educational experience. They are there to present all possible options,

including abortion, and to discuss and answer any questions. Their website has step by step
 8
EFFECTS OF ABORTION LAWS
instructions on what to do and when to contact a doctor or make an appointment at their nearest

facility.

Conclusions and Future Study

The controversy abortion plays in America has been and will be continued throughout

time. As everyone has a different view, pro life or pro choice, the decisions the government

creates will never please everyone. Certain laws not permitting legal abortions even in cases such

as rape, severe illness, or complications to the mother create serious health problems such as

septic shock and result in depression or other mental related illnesses. Operations like Planned

Parenthood aim to safely educate women about their options once pregnant, keeping abortion a

viable and acceptable option.

An Overview of Abortion Laws. (2019, September 30). Retrieved from

https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/overview-abortion-laws.

Birth Control and Abortion. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://abort73.com/abortion_facts/birth_control_and_abortion/.

Congleton, Kam|Calhoun, G., & G., L. (1993, July 31). Post-Abortion Perceptions; A

Comparison of Self-Identified Distressed and Nondistressed Populations. Retrieved from

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED370020.

Crawley, L.|Willman, S., K.|Clark, R., Leisa|Walsh, & Clare. (2008, November 30). Making

Women the Subjects of the Abortion Debate: A Class Exercise that Moves beyond.

Retrieved from

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ856273.

Ferris, & E., L. (1999, November 30). Legal and Ethical Issues in Evaluating Abortion Services.

Retrieved from

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ627419.

Flinn, & Susan. (1992, November 30). Adolescent Abortion and Mandated Parental

Involvement: The Impact of Back Alley Laws on Young Women. Retrieved from

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED365917.

Harrison, L. K., & Naylor, K. L. (1991, December). The laws that affect abortion in the United

States and their impact on women's health. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1798604.

Jacobson, & L., J. (1990, June 30). The Global Politics of Abortion. Worldwatch Paper 97.

Retrieved from
 10
EFFECTS OF ABORTION LAWS
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED328509.

Parenthood, P. (n.d.). "Defunding" Planned Parenthood, Defined. Retrieved from

https://www.istandwithpp.org/defund-defined.

Summary of Roe v. Wade and Other Key Abortion Cases. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-

dignity/abortion/upload/Summary-of-Roe-v-Wade-and-Other-Key-Abortion-Cases.pdf.