Abortion and PPD

[vbactivist]

I do not want to get into a debate about abortion.

A family member of mine had an abortion many years ago. she also had the worst case of ppd (borderline pyschosis) I've personally seen. I am wondering if there are unresolved feelings of conflict surrounding her abortion that came up when she finally had a baby (many years later). Obviously, its a difficult thing to talk about.

Has anyone else here found that women who've had abortions later go on to have a higher incidence of PPD? Just yes or no is okay. So as not to get into a debate.

[Isamama]

I don't know for a scientific fact, but it makes sense to me. Do you know if she did feel any source of conflict or trauma surrounding her experience?

For me personally, having a baby brought up all sorts of old trauma (no abortion, but trauma). It would not surprise me if there was a connection between the two. Or, perhaps she suffered other trauma when she was a babe and having a baby brought it up for her??

Good question.

[vbactivist]

well, I think she would say that she does not regeret her abortion. However, I think a lot of that comes from feeling defensive. It's really hard to speak honestly about it (the abortion). I think she may have soem unresolved issues (guilt) about it. What I wonder is, if she could process that guilt, would it help with PPD in future pregnancies. She does not want to have any more children because she's so afraid of the severe PPD (was hospitalized twice last time). I mean, she wants more children but is afraid the PPD will be worse. I have thought of suggesting she may need to deal with some unresolved feelings surrounding her abortion (in the hope of avoiding the PPD), but wasnt sure if that was a crazy theory.

[Angi]

Did she have any other mental health condition before any of her pregnancies? If her PPD is developing into psychosis, there could be a pre-existing, underlying condition, for example, schizophrenia, BPD, Bipolar Disorder. It could also be unresolved issues surrounding the events that lead her to make the choice she did.

I hope she is getting the help she needs in the form of talk / group therapy, and not just being put on medications to control the symptoms. I know I didn't start to resolve my depression until my doctor and I started digging at the root cause. I'm doing much better and have been able to wean off some of my medications.

I'll keep her in my thoughts. It's a good sign that she is able to recognize when she does need help. So many women don't.

[vbactivist]

She was only on medications (no talk therapy, excpet while she was inpatient). Her baby was born 3 years ago and she had the abortion 16 years ago. a few months after the first one, she had scheduled another one but ended up miscarrying. She would like more children but is really afraid of PPD again. I would say shes always been sort of depressed, but she was 18 at the time of her abortion and so its hard to really think of what she was like before that - you know, how much of her moodiness was hormones, etc. My whole point in posting here is I would like to help her have more children if that s what she wants/ I have thought of gentlysuggesting counseling of rany issues surroundg the abortion and then hopefully she would not go through such bad ppd next time. I know there are no guarantees, but I was hoping someone would chime in with a "yes - it worked for me!".

[Blu Razzberri]

(Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...)

PPD is caused by a hormonal imbalance. Your hormones make rapid changes once you get pregnant, and when the baby is removed from the body (be it through miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth or live birth), it causes another, more sudden change. Depending on how you are, and how your body functions, you may only notice subtle changes (like for me, my hair is falling out like crazy); or you may suffer major mood swings and depression - to psychosis.

As for treatments, that could be a range of things too, and would also depend on the person. She may just need someone to talk to. Perhaps herbal remedy would help. (?) Or maybe medications. One way or another, you should offer to help her however you can - whether or not you are pro-life or choice - because it's done and can't be reversed, and someone you care about is suffering. If she declines, make sure she knows that you're there and non-judgemental if and when she decides she needs someone or something.

[Blu Razzberri]

Sorry, my response wasn't very helpful. I just didn't want to read the thread before responding so I didn't end up in a debate. I'm really bad for not being able to bite my tongue...or I guess, bite my keyboard in this case.

[guestmama9904]

there is a great book for helping women deal with unresolved feeling after abortion called the healing choice. it is non judgemental and not pro or anti abortion, it is simply a book by and for women who have had abortions and are working to deal the emotions surrounding their choice.
check out http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Choice.../dp/0684831961

i am not a psychotherapist but it makes sense to me that any unresolved major life decision or event could, coupled with the experience of giving birth, make one suseptable to ppd. of course many women in our culture have scary, violent, traumatic births due to medical intervention and other reasons so birth itself is often a major trauma. the whole hospital experioence was, for me, extremely unnerving and traumatic.

[smeisnotapirate]

I don't regret mine, but I do regret the situation that led to it.

I'm currently seeking a diagnosis for what may end up being PPD, but I know that it's related directly to my crappy birth experience. :

I think it's altogether possible. They're both similar, life-changing decisions. I would look for other, more recent reasons first, though.

to your friend. I hope she gets the help she needs.

[vbactivist]

thanks for the responses, everyone. I am going to get the book that arismama recommends and give it to her. I'm just sad for her. That her whole childbearing part of her life has not gone how she'd like