Abortion: legal medical and social perspectives.

Abstract

In an effort to understand what is happening in the United States as a result of legalizing abortion 3 major aspects of the issue must be examined: the legal question the health aspects and the psychological and sociological consequences. The legal question in terms of the cases Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton are reviewed. Antichoice advocates do continue to enjoy limited success in the legislative sphere but prochoice advocates have managed to preserve the cause of reproductive freedom in the courts. In making appropriate referrals of abortion clients it is important to be aware of several medical issues: 1) legal abortion is safe; 2) the earlier a patient is diagnosed and has an abortion the safer is the procedure; 3) vaginal procedures are safer than instillation procedures or hysterectomy or hysterotomy; 4) 96 % of the women who have a medically competent vaginal procedure prior to the 12th gestational week have no complications; 5) most diseases seen in women who apply for abortion do not interfere with ambulatory performance of a vaginal abortion; 6) the counselor or referring agency needs to be aware of the competence and skill of the physicians at the factility to which patients are referred; and 7) most postabortal complications are minor and can be dealt with on an outpatient basis by skilled and sympathetic medical personnel. Whatever negative consequences may result from a legal abortion they are substantially less than those resulting from an illegal abortion. There are several factors affecting to varying degrees a womans emotional reactions to an abortion. Grieving and a sense of loss are quite common natural reactions.