Decision making for termination of pregnancies and the pre-abortion period in the context of women’s mental health

Based on statistical figures of the past 30 years, the number of induced abortions in Hungary is constantly decreasing. However, compared to the number of live births, even today approximately one third of pregnancies conceived eventuate in termination. Various international studies confirm the negative consequences of the intervention exerting influence on women’s mental health. The aim of this publication is to give a summary on the psychological aspects of the decision making process in the pre-abortion period, from the diagnosis of pregnancy to the surgical intervention. The authors present a detailed overview on the background for the reasons of the decision, the stages of the period from conception until termination, as well as factors related to difficulties in decision making, and possible psychological consequences. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(17), 647–652.