Research shows that asking for reasons for abortion does not contribute to care in unintended pregnancies. Researchers from Amsterdam UMC, Fiom, and Utrecht University have brought together various data for this study in the report 'This is my story.' Lead researcher Johanna van Ditzhuijzen (affiliated with the Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute and Utrecht University) stated: "Asking for reasons seems to be of little value in research, but also in the care for unintended pregnancy."
At the request of the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS), research has been conducted on circumstances contributing to the decision to terminate or carry an unintended pregnancy to term. The research involved a comprehensive systematic analysis of scientific literature and data analysis from two Dutch studies. The Dutch Abortion and Mental Health Study (DAMHS) interviewed 325 women about their abortion decision. The BluePrInt study involved over 1,000 unintended pregnancies and partners. From all this data, there is no scientific support for the idea that certain sets of motives lead to abortion or carrying to term. Van Ditzhuijzen commented: "There is a lot of overlap in the themes that play a role, but different meanings or values are assigned to them. This looks different each time." Because abortion is still surrounded by taboo and shame, and people tend to do what is socially acceptable, women who choose abortion are inclined to mention socially accepted reasons. In research, you mainly get insight into the story that people tell to the outside world.
Interplay of motives and feelings
The decision-making process in unintended pregnancies is a personal process that looks different each time. Reducing motives to 'lists of circumstances' does not do justice to reality. There is rarely just one motive; it is usually a constellation of multiple motives such as timing, desire for children/family planning, and the partner relationship. Eline Dalmijn (Fiom) stated: "It is a layered process, where emotions, intuitions, and personal values play a role, in interaction with the environment and practical circumstances of the pregnant person." Van Ditzhuijzen added: "And yet this does not necessarily mean that it is always difficult to make a decision. That is a significant misconception. For the majority, it is clear what needs to be done." Overall, the most important conclusion that can be drawn is that diverse motives always need to be seen in interaction and in context.
From 'why' to 'what do you need?'
In political and public debate, the focus on why someone makes a certain choice should be shifted to how someone experiences and perceives the process, and whether there is any need for this. Ultimately, it does not matter what motives one has, as long as someone has made their own well-considered choice. It is up to the pregnant person in question, what choice they make, and no justification is needed.
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