Post-Trauma Issues
For many young women, an abortion can result in confused feelings and emotions, and they should not be ignored.
"They don’t have anyone to talk to," says Ross. "They don’t trust anyone, and it’s an enormous amount of guilt. They can go into a bad depression, and it can be very difficult to cope."
Ross adds that the question young women should ask themselves is, "How am I going to get through this emotionally?"
"I recommend counseling," she answers, "because it helps. The guilt factor is huge, and I think it’s important that it is addressed. I definitely think counseling is more important than the procedure itself."
If you decide to have an abortion, and later suffer from feelings of guilt and anxiety, it’s important that you seek help -- with your parents’ assistance if possible. But if you feel you’re unable to turn to your parents, make sure to find out about local programs and health centers that can provide support for you during your trying time.
Safety First
Keep in mind that access to emergency contraception or an abortion is not an excuse to engage in irresponsible sex. You should always protect yourself -- from both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases -- by using condoms or practicing abstinence.
Here’s another thing to keep in mind: if you take birth control lightly, and have more than one abortion, you may have problems with fertility in your future.
"We’ve found an increase in uterine scarring in patients that have had two or more abortions," says Ross, "and that can affect fertility, because the environment isn’t as good for the embryo."
Bottom line? Take the proper precautions at all times and use emergency contraception for its intention -- emergencies. But, if you slip up, make sure that you consider all of your options. And remember, everyone can make mistakes.
Just make sure you learn from them.
