Although rare, serious complications requiring follow-up treatment can occur, particularly in the case of later abortions. Abortion occurs in the context of an unwanted or unhappy pregnancy. Researchers have found that the predominant psychological response to an abortion is relief at having ended the pregnancy. Such feelings are usually mild and do not last very long. Typically, positive feelings of relief and happiness far exceed the negative emotions.
Most women are satisfied that they made the right decision for themselves.
Studies of the psychological health of women who have had abortions have been reviewed by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Surgeon General's Office, and the American Psychological Association. They all found that significant problems following abortion are rare. Studies show that a single abortion performed by vacuum aspiration does not adversely affect a woman's ability to become pregnant and give birth to healthy children in the future. There has been less research on women who have had either multiple abortions, or a second-trimester abortion, using modern surgical procedures. As a result, less is known about the outcome of subsequent pregnancies in those cases.