Martina Smorti1, Lucia Ponti2, Lucia Bonassi3, Elena Cattaneo3, Chiara Ionio4. 1. Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. 2. Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy. 3. Department of Mental Health, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Bergamo-Est, Seriate, Italy. 4. Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are two types of voluntary interruption of pregnancy: elective and therapeutic abortion. These forms are different for many reasons, and it is reasonable to assume that they can have negative consequences that can last until a subsequent gestation. However, no study has analyzed the psychological experience of gestation after a previous abortion, distinguishing the two forms of voluntary interruption of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the level of prenatal attachment and centrality of pregnancy in nulliparous low-risk pregnant women with a recently (<3 years) previous elective or therapeutic abortion. METHODS: A total of 34 nulliparous pregnant women with a history of abortion (23 elective and 11 therapeutic abortion), aged from 27 to 48 years (mean = 37.17), were recruited in the maternity ward of a public hospital of the metropolitan area of Tuscany and Lombardy (Italy) during the third trimester of gestation. The participants filled out a battery of questionnaires aimed at assessing prenatal attachment and centrality of pregnancy. RESULTS: Analyses of variance showed that women with a history of elective abortion reported a higher centrality of pregnancy than women with a past therapeutic abortion. On the contrary, women with a past therapeutic abortion reported higher prenatal attachment. CONCLUSION: Elective and therapeutic abortions are different experiences that impact the way women experience a subsequent pregnancy. Future research should further investigate the psychological experience of gestation after abortion.
BACKGROUND: There are two types of voluntary interruption of pregnancy: elective and therapeutic abortion. These forms are different for many reasons, and it is reasonable to assume that they can have negative consequences that can last until a subsequent gestation. However, no study has analyzed the psychological experience of gestation after a previous abortion, distinguishing the two forms of voluntary interruption of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the level of prenatal attachment and centrality of pregnancy in nulliparous low-risk pregnant women with a recently (<3 years) previous elective or therapeutic abortion. METHODS: A total of 34 nulliparous pregnant women with a history of abortion (23 elective and 11 therapeutic abortion), aged from 27 to 48 years (mean = 37.17), were recruited in the maternity ward of a public hospital of the metropolitan area of Tuscany and Lombardy (Italy) during the third trimester of gestation. The participants filled out a battery of questionnaires aimed at assessing prenatal attachment and centrality of pregnancy. RESULTS: Analyses of variance showed that women with a history of elective abortion reported a higher centrality of pregnancy than women with a past therapeutic abortion. On the contrary, women with a past therapeutic abortion reported higher prenatal attachment. CONCLUSION: Elective and therapeutic abortions are different experiences that impact the way women experience a subsequent pregnancy. Future research should further investigate the psychological experience of gestation after abortion.
Authors: M J Korenromp; G C M L Christiaens; J van den Bout; E J H Mulder; J A M Hunfeld; C M Bilardo; J P M Offermans; G H A Visser Journal: Prenat Diagn Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 3.050
Authors: Anette Kersting; K Kroker; J Steinhard; K Lüdorff; U Wesselmann; P Ohrmann; V Arolt; T Suslow Journal: Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Date: 2007-12 Impact factor: 5.270