UN CSW69: US Psychiatrist Dr. Martha Shuping Warns Potential Health Impact of Abortion

…Advancing Truth Alliance to launch a documentary on Truth Matters on the Impact of Abortion

Rebecca Ejifoma

Dr. Martha Shuping, a prominent US psychiatrist with extensive experience in post-abortion care, has warned about the negative impacts of abortion on women’s lives globally.

She shared the insights during a parallel event organised by Endeavour Forum Incorporated at the Millennium Hotel, coinciding with the UN’s sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York.

Drawing from her two decades of work with women who have undergone abortions, Shuping highlighted the complex psychological effects of the procedure.

She emphasised the natural bonding process that occurs between a mother and her unborn child, even in early pregnancy, facilitated by hormones like oxytocin.

The psychiatrist explained that oxytocin levels increase during pregnancy and surge during childbirth, aiding in labour, delivery, and breastfeeding.

“This hormone plays a crucial role in initiating the mother-child bond,” she added.

By interrupting this process, Shuping told the audience that abortion could disrupt the natural psychological and physiological mechanisms that prepare women for motherhood.

She hinted at symptoms of post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of abortion, including nightmares, flashbacks, relentless thoughts of the organization’s person, and self-mutilation, among others.

Her statements align with her extensive research and clinical experience in the field of post-abortion mental health.

Shuping has consistently advocated for greater awareness of the potential psychological risks associated with abortion, emphasising the need for comprehensive support and counseling for women considering or recovering from the procedure.

The Chief Administrative Officer of Endeavour Forum Incorporated, Denise Mountenay, shared her organisation’s mission to reveal the post-abortive abortion’s effects on women worldwide.

Drawing from personal experience as a former abortion patient, Mountenay emphasised the physical and emotional toll of the procedure.

“We know, as former abortion patients, that abortion hurts women and takes the lives of our children,” Mountenay stated.

She highlighted the power of personal testimonies in raising awareness about the often-overlooked consequences of abortion.

Mountenay’s advocacy has taken her across the globe, including Ghana, India, China, Russia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US. “Endeavour Forum Inc. aims to provide support and practical assistance to women facing difficult circumstances,” she added.

She frowned on the lack of information given to women about potential risks, citing studies that link abortion to increased mental health issues.

The CAO referenced a Finnish study suggesting women who have abortions are six times more likely to commit suicide, and a 2011 British Journal of Psychiatry article reporting an 81 per cent higher risk of mental health problems among post-abortive women.

Mountenay cautioned about the long-term psychological impact, including depression, eating disorders, sleeping problems, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

She told THISDAY: “One day, it hits you, and you can’t change it,” she warned, emphasising the irreversible nature of the decision.

“Prevention is the key. Once women know that abortion is a human rights violation and that it is not a safe practice for women, it causes irreparable damage. It’s connected to your sex life,” she emphasised.

Warning of the many consequences and complications from abortion, she said Endeavour Forum Inc. is trying to bring education and awareness.

Thus, a documentary, “Truth Matters on the Impact of Abortion” being produced by Advancing Truth Alliance is underway to pass on the message of saving women and babies.

“I believe that this new documentary will be an icebreaker, preventing women from wanting to have an abortion. They will hear from women who have been there and done that from developed countries and how it is not a safe procedure,” says Mountenay.

She also called on every government to get a copy of the documentary when it’s out; “It is going to change lives,” she is convinced.

Two women, Melody Lyn, and Maria Lee, shared their experiences with post-abortion trauma and the journey to healing and recovery years after their procedures.

Lynn expressed her struggles with regret and guilt following multiple pregnancy terminations. “The post-traumatic stress and overwhelming guilt I experienced were devastating,” Lynn said, visibly emotional. “Even though I now have three children, I felt undeserving of them for a long time.”

Sharing Lynn’s sentiment, Lee encouraged, “We must uplift and support women facing challenging circumstances after abortion. These individuals are overcoming adversities that many of us haven’t experienced.

Lee added: “As a parent and grandparent myself, I believe we should focus on building them up and making a positive impact. It’s crucial to move away from shame and instead offer hope for their future.

“We need to embrace women with post-abortion experiences, recognising their pain, and provide the necessary tools for healing, forgiveness, and restoration.

“Our goal should be to create a compassionate environment where these women can find the support they need to move forward.”