First Pregnancy Abortion or Natural Pregnancy Loss: A Cohort Study of Mental Health Services Utilization
While both induced abortion and natural pregnancy loss have been associated with subsequent mental health problems, population-based studies directly comparing these two pregnancy outcomes are rare. We sought to compare mental health morbidity after an induced abortion or natural loss.
A Reanalysis of Mental Disorders Risk Following First-Trimester Abortions in Denmark
In this article, David Reardon analyzes a Danish study of monthly and tri-monthly rates of first-time psychiatric contact following first induced abortions reported higher rates compared to first live births but similar rates compared to nine months pre-abortion. The researchers in that study con- cluded abortion has no independent effect on mental health; and any differ- ences between psychiatric contacts after abortion and delivery are entirely attributable to pre-existing mental health differences. But these conclusions are inconsistent with similar studies that used longer time frames. Reardon’s re-analysis reveals that the Danish data is consistent with the larger body of both record-based and survey-based studies when viewed over periods of ob- servation of at least nine months. Longer periods of observation are necessary to capture both anniversary reactions and the exhaustion of coping mecha- nisms which may delay observation of post-abortion effects.
Negative Abortion Experiences: Predictors and Development of the Post-Abortion Psychological and Relational Adjustment Scale
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