Lived Experiences of Women Who Had Induced Abortion

Abstract

Induced abortion, the intentional termination of pregnancy, is a practice that is considered immoral and illegal in most countries, including the Philippines. Because of this situation, many Filipino women commit induced abortion clandestinely. This action, however, may present a grave threat to the life of a woman., both physically and emotionally. This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to describe the lived experiences of women who had induced abortion. It explored the reasons, means, and effects of committing induced abortion among Filipino women in general.

The Van Manen phenomenological approach was utilized in this study by focusing on description of what women experience and how they experience what they experienced. These characteristics are necessary in creating a phenomenological text that involves explorations into the lived experiences of women who had induced abortion. Eight participants, identified through purposive sampling technique, were engaged in an in-depth conversation with the investigator through a semi-structured focused interview.

To analyzed data, a research process developed by Colaizzi was utilized to describe the phenomenon. Five common themes emerged from the rich descriptive data: 1) Easy Way Out – identified the reasons why the women resorted to induced abortion; 2) All Choice I Can Take – explored the means resorted to by the women in order to have an induced abortion; 3) Burden Of My Body – tacked the physical effects experienced by the women after having induced abortion; 4) Living With My Conscience – focused on the psychological effects experienced by women after having induced abortion; and, 5) Moving On – describe how the women adapted to life changes after the induce abortion.

The study showed that women sought abortion for complex reasons, making them willing to undergo almost any method to get rid of the unwanted pregnancy. To counter the risk, the last part of the study offered conclusions and recommendations for the Philippine government and other key stakeholders to consider, as well as aid health care providers come up with guidelines on how to identify pregnant women who are most likely to opt for abortion, help the women avoid its adverse health consequences, and improve the over-all holistic care given to women who did commit induce abortion.