Abortion Clinics: Counseling Patients on Their Choice

It is estimated that 33 percent of women in the U.S. will have an abortion at some point in their life. This means that there are a lot of women in the United States that know of or have had an abortion. The choice to have an abortion is never easy. It is one of the most difficult times in a woman's life as there is much anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, fear, guilt, embarrassment, shame, scared, loneliness, failure, doom, traumatic, depression and crying all occur when it comes to the thoughts of carrying an unwanted pregnancy. Though there are many women who have gone through an abortion personally, there are still 66% of the population that have never had an abortion. It is a time for denial and then coming to the decision on what to do with being pregnant and it being unexpected. Should the woman put the pregnancy up for adoption, or should she try to keep the child or abort the pregnancy. The bottom line on this subject is that a woman who has the intelligence to sit down with a pen and piece of paper along with help from what she reads and gathers through consultation will help her make the decision on what is the best choice for her situation. It is not what is best for anyone else or the author. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is ultimately a private matter between the patient and her Physician.

The decision to have an abortion is based on physical, emotional, psychological, family, age, fetal abnormalities and genetic defects. If a pregnancy threatens a woman's life or health, then the woman has to decide on whether she should terminate or continue the pregnancy. There are many instances where women die before, during or shortly after giving birth for numerous reasons even when the woman is healthy. It makes no rational sense for a woman to not have the ultimate decision regarding the loss of her life knowing that she has a medical condition that has a high chance of killing her.

Abortion facilities have phone counselors available during the day, and some have medical personnel available after hours to discuss patients concerns regarding being pregnant and what her options are. There are a few medical personnel that use e-mail to communicate with patients who may be reluctant to talk to medical staff on the phone regarding their pregnancy.

The choice to give a child up for adoption is very difficult for patients. It rarely happens. The reason is mainly because the woman feels that she could not accept having a child in the world somewhere and she has nothing to do with it. It is psychologically devastating for most women. In addition; there is the privacy issue. There would be people who may know the patient was pregnant and would be embarrassing to her or her family if the pregnancy continues.

Deciding to keep or terminate a pregnancy is one of the most difficult times in a woman's life. It is OK to get information from as many people as possible including prayer, clergy, parents, Physicians, and close family and friends. Most women choose not to discuss an unwanted pregnancy with too many people.

In summary, it is important to get truthful and informed information in order to make the best decision for a woman to continue or terminate her pregnancy. Abortion facilities are one of the best places to go to get information on abortion. There is no encouragement to have an abortion. It is left up to the patient on what she ultimately wants to do. If a woman is indecisive, she is sent home for her to think seriously about whether an abortion procedure is the right thing for her.