Abortion complications are even less likely in the first trimester of pregnancy, when most abortions take place. Abortion happens through all nine months of pregnancy. In fact, one-half occur within eight weeks. Abortions in the third trimester, the point when fetuses are mature enough to potentially survive outside the uterus are very rare. They are less than one-fiftieth of one percent of all abortions, and in fact are only done when there are serious health problems for the mother or fetus.
Abortion causes long-term psychological damage.
The American Psychological Association, the world's largest organization of psychologists, and the Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association report that there is no scientific proof that abortion causes long-lasting emotional trauma. Two studies published in the journal of the American Psychological Association which analyzed data collected over years from almost 10,000 women, found that having an abortion had no effect on women's psychological well-being. Dealing with an unintended pregnancy or intended pregnancy in which a severe problem has developed can certainly be stressful and emotionally painful. But there is no evidence that an abortion is more traumatic or psychologically damaging than giving a baby up for adoption or raising a child one is not ready or able to care for. Each individual woman is the best judge of what is the most positive decision for her.