Abortion ReportAbortion Report

Jacquelyn BlairJacquelyn Blair

English 2010 English 2010

Report-FinalReport-Final

IntroductionIntroduction

I wanted to research some different I wanted to research some different questions about abortion:questions about abortion:

How many pregnancies are on purpose?How many pregnancies are on purpose? How many abortions are there in the U.S.?How many abortions are there in the U.S.? How many abortions are there worldwide?How many abortions are there worldwide? How has abortion numbers changed over the How has abortion numbers changed over the

years?years? What are some reasons that women have What are some reasons that women have

abortions?abortions? Safe abortions Vs. Unsafe abortions?Safe abortions Vs. Unsafe abortions?

Unintended PregnancyUnintended Pregnancy

Pregnancies in the United States Pregnancies in the United States (Approximately 6.7 Million in 2006)(Approximately 6.7 Million in 2006)

UnintendedIntended

% of pregnancies

Outcomes of Unintended Pregnancies

(Approximately 3.2 Million in 2006)

% of unintended pregnancies (excluding miscarriages)

Abortion Rates Among Women Abortion Rates Among Women Aged 15–44Aged 15–44

Abortions per 1,000 women

Gestational AgeGestational Age

Abortions Overwhelmingly Abortions Overwhelmingly Occur Early in PregnancyOccur Early in Pregnancy

Weeks

% of abortions

Reasons for AbortionsReasons for Abortions

Reasons for Abortions AfterReasons for Abortions After 16 Weeks Since Last Menstrual Period 16 Weeks Since Last Menstrual Period

Did not recognize the pregnancy 71%Had difficulty making arrangements for abortion 48%Was afraid to tell parents or partner 33%Needed time to make decision 24%Hoped relationship would change 8%Was pressured not to have abortion 8%Something changed during pregnancy 6%Did not know timing was important 6%Did not know abortion was an option 5%Fetal abnormality was diagnosed late 2%Other 11%

Worldwide Perspective Worldwide Perspective on Abortionon Abortion

Numbers of Abortions Worldwide in Different Countries Over time

Abortion has declined worldwide Abortion has declined worldwide

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1995 2003 1995 2003 1995 2003World More developed

countries Less developed

countries

3529 29

39

26

34

Abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44

20 Million Unsafe Abortions20 Million Unsafe AbortionsOccur Each YearOccur Each Year

Works CitedWorks Cited http://www.guttmacher.org/sections/abortion.php Jones RK and Kooistra, K., Abortion incidence and access Jones RK and Kooistra, K., Abortion incidence and access

to services in the United States, 2008, to services in the United States, 2008, Perspectives on Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive HealthSexual and Reproductive Health, 2011, 43(1):41–50., 2011, 43(1):41–50.

Finer LB and Zolna MR, Unintended pregnancy in the Finer LB and Zolna MR, Unintended pregnancy in the United States: incidence and disparities, 2006, United States: incidence and disparities, 2006, ContraceptionContraception, 2011, , 2011, doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.07.013.doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.07.013.

Finer LB and Henshaw SK, Disparities in rates of Finer LB and Henshaw SK, Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001, unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive HealthPerspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health , 2006, , 2006, 38(2):90–96.38(2):90–96.

Sedgh G et al., Legal abortion worldwide: incidence and Sedgh G et al., Legal abortion worldwide: incidence and recent trendsrecent trends, International Family Planning PerspectivesInternational Family Planning Perspectives , , 2007, 33(3):106–116.2007, 33(3):106–116.

Works Cited Cont…Works Cited Cont…

Singh S et al., Singh S et al., Abortion Worldwide: A Decade of Abortion Worldwide: A Decade of Uneven Progress, Uneven Progress, New York: Guttmacher New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2009.Institute, 2009.

Torres A and Forrest JD, Why do women have Torres A and Forrest JD, Why do women have abortions? abortions? Family Planning Perspectives, Family Planning Perspectives, 1988, 1988, 20(4):169–176.20(4):169–176.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abortion surveillance—United States, 2006, Abortion surveillance—United States, 2006, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2009, 2009, Vol. 58, No. SS-8. Vol. 58, No. SS-8.