The extent of mental health related information to be provided to a patient before abortion

Miscarriage and induced abortion are life events that can potentially cause mental distress. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are any differences in the patterns of psychological symptoms after these two events and to point the importance of informed consent. I n our study 20 women who experienced miscarriages and 20 women who underwent induced abortions were interviewed in Vilnius out patients clinics. We found that women who had pregnancy termination had more mental distress than women who experienced a miscarriage (guilty, anxiety, anger, episode of crying etc.). Women undergoing abortion had significantly more conflicts in their partnerships. Separation occurred in about one-quarter of all couples. In conclusion women who had undergone an abortion exhibited higher frequency of psychological symptoms than after miscarriage. So we may consider that it is necessary still before induced abortion procedure to inform the couples about an increasing possibility of mental distress.