The Basics of Abortion

Statistics

From 1973 through 2005, nearly 46 million unborn babies have been aborted in the United States. More than one in every four unborn babies in the U.S. dies from abortion. The number of unborn babies who die every year from abortion (1.5 million) is more than eleven times greater than the combined total of Americans who die annually from accidental falls (12,000), drownings (4,000), poisonings (6,000), car accidents (40,000), suicides (30,000) and homicides (25,000). More than 165,000 abortions are done each year to unborn babies who are in the second and third trimester.

Repeat Abortions: Almost half of women undergoing an abortion (46%) have already had at least one previous abortion. At least 15% have had two or more abortions.

Reasons for Abortions

The majority of women having an abortion give one or more of the following reasons: baby would interfere with work, school or other responsibilities (75%); cannot afford a child (66%); do not want to be a single parent or have problems in relationship with partner or husband (50%). Only 1% say they have been advised that their unborn baby has a defect, and 1% say they became pregnant by rape or incest.

Who has abortions?

The majority of women undergoing an abortion are: young (55% are under 25; 21% are teens); unmarried (51% of unmarried pregnant women will abort); white (63% of abortion patients).

Pain & the unborn child

Recent data from several studies suggests that the unborn child in the late second-trimester is capable of experiencing more pain than babies born full term.

Abortion & Breast Cancer

Data demonstrating a link between induced abortion and an increased risk of breast cancer grow more convincing every year. Data suggest that when women abort, they increase the likelihood they will suffer from breast cancer. In one study, for women who had an abortion before age 18, the risk rose 150%.

Post Abortion Syndrome

When an abortion occurs, the woman is not allowed to mourn the death of her child. She is encouraged to treat the experience as insignificant. She finds, instead of comfort and support, tremendous pain. This pain has been called Post-Abortion Syndrome.

Symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome may include: denial, anger, guilt, depression, child abuse, inability to forgive self and others, recurring nightmares, eating disorders, drug and alcohol dependencies, and suicidal tendencies.

"Post-Abortion Syndrome displays the hallmark of repressed mourning, guilt, pain, and impacted grief. However, once recognized and defined, PAS can be healed and a woman's grief and suffering can be worked through and relief from her pain secured." - Dr. Vincent Rue, Ph.D.