How an Adoption Plan Can Prevent Depression Caused by Abortion

November 20, 2022

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and have determined that parenting is not a possibility right now, your two options are abortion and adoption. 

Some women experience mental health struggles after getting an abortion. If that is a concern for you, you may want to research and explore the possibility of making an adoption plan. 

Read this article to deepen your understanding of both options.

Does Abortion Affect Mental Health?

Each woman’s experience and emotional journey after an abortion varies. However, the scope of mental health concerns can range from feelings of grief or loss to depression, or even PTSD-related symptoms.

Other symptoms can include: 

• Suicidal behavior
• Decreased self-esteem
• Anxiety and substance abuse 

Because of these possibilities, it’s important to be aware of your current mental state when considering an abortion procedure.

Are There Mental Health Risks to Adoption?

There are few studies to inform us of what the mental health implications are of choosing adoption. However, some possibilities include:

• Five stages of grief
• Postpartum depression
• Feelings of shock, denial, or numbness

Many birth-moms or women who go through with adoption are often referred to or provided with support groups and resources to assist them on their adoption journey. If you choose the option of open adoption, then you may also benefit from having a positive relationship with the child and their adoptive family. 

The Adoption Plan Option

The good news about adoption is that you, as the biological parent, get to make an adoption plan that is customized to your wants and needs. A few options to familiarize yourself with include: 

• Open Adoption – You have a relationship with the child and adoptive family.
• Closed Adoption – No details about you, the biological parent, are ever disclosed. 
• Semi-Open Adoption – Birth parents and adoptive parents communicate through their adoption agency.

If you are interested in learning more about adoption, discuss it with a caring staff member at Robbinsdale Women’s Center.  We can share more about what the adoption process looks like and offer referrals if you decide to go that direction.

Know Your Options

You deserve to have peace of mind about your decision and its impact on your future well-being. If you are still debating which option is best for you, take your first step and schedule a free appointment with us. 

At our clinic, you can receive free pregnancy services and process your emotions in a compassionate, pressure-free environment. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!