Repeat Abortions--Why More?

This article challenges the theory that a high repeat abortion rate in the United States is evidence that the legalization of abortion has led couples to relax contraceptive efforts and rely on abortion as a primary method of birth control. Statistics collected in New York City and 12 states in 1974-1976 and demonstrably representative of the nation as a whole show that repeat abortions have almost doubled and that the repeat abortion rate is much higher than the first abortion rate. The increase in the number of repeat abortions can be explained by the increase in the number of women who have had 1st abortions. The higher risk of repeat abortions can be explained by several factors: As a group women with abortion experience are generally older more sexually active and more fecund than the group of women who have never had an abortion. Furthermore women who have once chosen an abortion can be expected to chose to terminate a future pregnancy while the group of women who have never had an abortion includes a substantial number who would never choose abortion to end an unintended pregnancy. Only a few women find abortion easier as a means of birth control than consistent contraception. Hence a repeat abortion rate that is higher than a first abortion rate is to be expected regardless of contraceptive practice.