Psychological Factors in Mid-Trimester Abortion

A comparative psychiatric evaluation of eighteen women with similar backgrounds who sought legal abortion suggests that the delay of the decision until second trimester involves multiple psychological factors. The eight women who presented late had a pattern of disturbed parental relationships, reliance on denial as a defense mechanism and ambivalence towards the pregnancy. They related strong feelings of identification with their “baby” and post-abortion expressed a sense of loss. Professional staff dealing with these patients need their own support system to intervene effectively in the crisis situation.