The patient's psychological pain from the abortion surfaces as they discuss another problem, the one that brought them to the therapist. A family who has experienced prenatal detection of an abnormality and has chosen abortion is at risk of emotional trauma, also. The cause of the child's death may make the difference. Top of page. When a post-abortive woman is allowed to grieve, she articulates a sense of loss.
Women describe a number of reactions.
Often women are simultaneously experiencing other losses that serve to increase their pain. Their relationship with their sexual partner has deteriorated or even been destroyed since the abortion. There is much distress and confusion over husbands or boyfriends abandoning them after their abortions or lacking concern about their emotional pain. Another loss is that of self-esteem and of values that the women cherished before their abortions but found obliterated by them. They are disappointed in themselves for going against their previously held values.