Profile of the woman determined to have an abortion
Realities and PerspectivesWho are the women who end up at an abortion clinic? What leads them to make this decision — and what role can counseling play?
- 57%are married
- 50%are between 21 and 30 years old
- 36%have had no previous abortions
- 65%have no children or only one child
Women who come to the hospital for an abortion have found out they are pregnant either by taking a pregnancy test beforehand or following a consultation with a gynecologist, where they also learn the stage of the pregnancy. Most often, in a state of distress, they believe that having an abortion as soon as possible (even on the same day) will solve the problems they are facing.
However, the experience of twenty-eight years of work in this field and thousands of counseled cases has shown that abortion is not the solution they hope for.
In most cases, their problems are not caused by the current pregnancy but existed beforehand — the pregnancy is simply the final straw.
At the same time, these pregnant women often feel alone in making this decision, without any support from their partner or family, who in many cases may even pressure them into having an abortion. Many of them are young, wanting to finish their studies, secure a better job, or achieve a more stable relationship.
Most frequently cited reasons
Among the most common reasons are material ones — lack of housing or employment, plans to work abroad, or the belief that a child would be an obstacle. Another reason is the number of children they already have.
Most often, abortions are performed by women who have one child or none. Thus, it is not only material hardship that leads some women to abortion, but also convenience or the reluctance to take on a new “responsibility.”
Unplanned pregnancy and associated fears
Common emotional traits
When an unplanned pregnancy occurs, many women say they are not ready to become mothers and want to be able to offer their child everything, so that the child lacks nothing. However, no one can clearly define what “everything” truly means. We are usually never fully satisfied with what we have.
A frequently encountered trait is the fear of abortion, a state of anxiety, guilt, and regret for the decision they are about to make. Many of these women simply need encouragement and competent guidance to find the inner resources to move forward and keep their child.
Therefore, most of them have the potential to carry the pregnancy to term — which means that pre-abortion counseling can have meaningful, positive outcomes. The presence of a counselor at the right moment can change a decision — and with it, an entire life.