Katelyn Aguinaga

English II
12.14.17

Should women be given the full control over their fetus?

There is an ongoing debate between pro-life and pro-choice for women, in the matter of

abortion. Abortion is the procedure to terminate an unborn fetus in a woman’s womb. Pro-life is

the term to use when one is against abortion. Pro-choice is the term to use when one supports

giving women the choice of what to do with their fetus. Giving women the choice of abortion

gives them a sense of control over their own bodies. The abortion procedure does not affect the

majority of women’s mental health. The abortion process has no worse effect on the mother’s

mental health than delivering an unwanted child. Considering the information above, women

should be given the control over their fetus during their pregnancy.

To explain, giving women the choice of abortion gives them a sense of control over their

own bodies. When women are not given the freedom to choose what they do with their bodies, it

creates a sense of restriction and promotes the feeling of captivity in their own body. For

example, in ​Claire Pomeroy’s blog post on Serendip website​, i​t says “...so the right to abortion

has equalized women by giving the right to manage their own bodies.” Giving women the choice

of abortion equalized them and men with the control over their bodies. A person’s sense of

control and freedom over their bodies connects to their emotions.

Additionally, the abortion procedure does not affect the majority of women’s mental

health. Most of the women who go through the procedure are not mentally affected after. Of

course, there are different results under certain circumstances. But the majority rules. In a paper
done, “Abortion and Mental Health”, by several college students, it says “Most adult women

who terminate a pregnancy do not experience mental health problems.” With this information in

light, it reassures pregnant women who consider abortion that there’s little risk.

Furthermore, the abortion process has no worse effect on the mother’s mental health than

delivering an unwanted child. Delivering a child that the mother does not intend to keep carries

no greater danger, mentally, than terminating the fetus. In the paper “Abortion and Mental

Health”, it says “...the relative risk of mental health problems among adult women who have a

single, legal, first-trimester abortion of an unwanted pregnancy is no greater than the risk among

women who deliver an unwanted pregnancy.” Delivering an unwanted child and terminating a

fetus effects the emotional, mental part of women.

On the contrary, many believe abortion should not be a choice for pregnant women. They

believe that the child has a right to a life, that abortion defies the word of God, and that it

promotes the idea that human life can be disposed. On the other hand, abortion is legal in the

U.S. The major issue isn’t whether women should get an abortion or not, it’s how to protect the

women’s body and mind no matter what they decide to do. In Claire Pomeroy’s blog post, it says

“...​the abortion issue is not really about abortion, but is about the value of women in

society….This is where the pro-life and pro-choice groups can begin to relate to one another.”

Both sides of the debate can agree that whatever they believe in, it’s what they think is best for

the mother. The mother is what matters in the circumstances.

All things considered, this issue is important and should be addressed because almost

everyone will be faced with a decision, whether they are the mother or father. When faced with a

decision, it is best to talk to a professional and be informed of all the choices available. One
should deeply think about their options and make a serious and permanent consensus. Options,

including abortion, give women control over their bodies. Modern abortion won’t affect the

majority of women’s mental health. Abortion is not riskier than delivering an unwanted child,

mentally. Many will be faced with this option and should be able to make any decision without

being shamed for it. Therefore, women should be given the control, and all options, of what to do

with their fetus during their early pregnancy.

 Annotated Bibliography

“Better Reporting for Abortions” by Charles A. Donovan, Jan. 21, 2013:

​http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/opinion/better-reporting-for-abortions.html

Aside from the opposing sides of the topic of abortion, statistics from each state should be

provided. A few states, with the highest abortion rates, don’t sent the CDC statistics at all. A

system would be most efficient in reporting details. This source relates to my position because all

people will have their own opinion and it is, in the end, their decision, but all people should be

informed. If the CDC had more data, a more definitive decision or stance could be deducted. In

the text it says, “​Minnesota and Arizona require prompt reporting, making information available

on state Web sites or to researchers, in some cases within weeks of the end of each month.”

Some states already have a system to give out statistics to inform the public on the topic as soon

as they can.

“CDCs Abortion Surveillance System FAQs” by U.S Department of Health & Human Services,

w​ Nov. 16, 2017: ​https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/data_stats/abortion.htm

This source is a compile of answers to frequently asked questions, and a summary of 2014’s

reports of abortion. This source relates to my position because it explains that states are not

required to give data about their abortion rates. In the text it says, “Additionally, from 2005 to

2014, the number, rate, and ratio of reported abortions decreased 21%, 22%, and 22%,
respectively.” This shows that from 2005 to 2014, abortion rates have decreased at least by 20

percent. This may be because more women are being educated about the abortion process and are

maturing to understand and make a serious decision on the matter.

“Abortion and Women's Rights: Unification of Pro-Life and Pro-Choice through Feminism” by

m​ Claire Pomeroy, Jan. 15, 2008:

mjnef​http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/serendipupdate/abortion-and-womens-rights-unific

ation-pro-life-and-pro-choice-through-feminism

This source is a Serendip blog post about abortion and women’s right. After the Roe v. Wade in

the Supreme Court, there’s been a debate between pro-life and pro-choice. The author, also, talks

about the deeper problem in abortion: the value of women in society. This source relates to my

position because it talks about giving women the, serious, choice is what they do with their

unborn fetus. In the text it says, “Most women choose abortion because they feel like they have

no other option. How is this real choice?” This quote explains that abortion may not be a “real”

choice because women may only choose abortion ​because​ there’s no other choice.

“Abortion and Mental Health” by Brenda Major, Mark Appelbaum, Linda Beckman, Mary Ann

mjw​ Dutton, Nancy Felipe Russo, Carolyn West, Dec. 2009:

jjjwfj​https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/amp-64-9-863.pdf
This source is a pdf file of a paper done by students who conducted empirical research on the

connection between abortion and women’s mental health. This empirical evidence shows the

lack of cause and effect between abortion and women’s health afterwards. It, also, explains that

different reactions or experiences of abortion should be educated. This source relates to my

position because the students explains that women have different experiences with abortion and

the risks should be understood. In the text it says “...mental health problems that develop after an

abortion may not be caused by the procedure itself but instead may reflect other factors…” This

means that other factors may cause the mental health problems some women may experience

postabortion. “Abortion can be a way of resolving stress associated with an unwanted pregnancy

and, hence, can lead to relief.”

“In-Clinic Abortion” by Planned Parenthood:

whid​https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/in-clinic-abortion-procedures

This source is a website to inform mothers and parents about their pregnancy and how to prepare

for it. This specific page is a compile of answers to frequently asked questions about in-clinic

abortions. This source relates to my position because it talks about the safety and effectiveness of

abortions. It reassures women that abortion is a safe option for them. In the source it says,

“​In-clinic abortions are extremely effective. They work more than 99 out of every 100 times.”

Not only is modern abortion safe, but it is almost guaranteed to work the first time.