The negative mental health effect of an unwanted pregnancy is worse than that of an abortion

A new landmark study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shows that abortions in the U.S. are safe and have few complications. It examines the four major methods used for abortions in this country, as well as women’s care from before the procedure through follow-up care.

The research showed about 90 percent of all abortions happen in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and complications are rare. Previous studies have yielded consistent results. However, regulations in many states are compromising this safety rather than helping it.

Some states require women seeking abortions to receive counseling about the negative emotional effects they could experience. Why? According to research conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, women are far more emotionally stressed if they are denied an abortion than if they receive one when they request it. Those denied access had more anxiety, lower self-esteem and less life satisfaction than women who obtained them without an issue.

Essentially, this trial suggested the idea abortions cause psychological suffering is incorrect. The researchers concluded there is no evidence to justify laws requiring women seeking abortions to be warned about adverse mental health side effects. One of the researchers even went so far as to say, “If our goal is to protect women’s health, the evidence suggests that expanding access is the best approach.” What a concept, right?

The issue at hand here is mental health, but it is being used as evidence to incorrectly support the wrong side of the argument. Those who wish to restrict abortions often claim women’s mental health is the reasoning behind their opinion. However, the evidence to support this is either nonexistent or has been proven inaccurate by other studies.

Those who are pro-life, or, more accurately, anti-abortion, are under the assumption that denying women access to safe and affordable abortions and being forced to deliver a baby they do not want will be better for their mental health in the long run than the alternative. This is not only logically incorrect, but it has been disproven by research over and over again.

The stress caused by an unwanted pregnancy is the sort of stress you can only truly understand if you have been through it. Legislators and lobbyists across the country are convinced they know what is best for women experiencing an unwanted pregnancy. Research has shown again and again they do not. The process of trying to obtain an abortion, being denied and the social stresses that often come with an unwanted pregnancy have been shown to produce much greater negative mental health effects than having an abortion does.

Having an abortion is not only a highly personal decision, but it is also a safe decision. It is more responsible than bringing an unwanted child into the world. We cannot say we are pro-life and then inadequately provide for that life once it has begun outside the mother’s womb.

It’s time for us to recognize this decision should be up to no one but the mother herself and the most severe negative mental health consequences associated with abortions arise when other people get involved. When people restrict access or share their negative opinions, women feel worse than they do when they are able to make their own decision without hearing how everyone else feels about it.

We are in a time of strong opinions, which is great. What is not great, however, is when people’s unsubstantiated opinions begin to hurt those around them. Women seeking abortions should be allowed to do so. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. Keep it to yourself. Let her make the best and safest decision for herself.

Taylor Cavaliere is a UF journalism and psychology junior. Her column focuses on mental health.