Knowledge and feelings of women who experienced an abortion process - doi:10.5020/18061230.2008.p144

Abstract

Objective: To identify the knowledge and feelings of women in face of the loss of their child by an abortion process. Methods: It was a descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, carried out in a maternity-school of Fortaleza-CE. Ten women, in the age group between 22 and 39 years, who had been interned at the maternity after induced or spontaneous abortion, joined in the study. Data collection was performed with a semi-structured interview containing guiding questions related to the knowledge and feelings of the women as from the experience of the abortion process. Results: Among the interviewed women, seven were single; six had concluded average education and six had a family income above one minimum wage. From the obtained data, a deficit in knowledge about the definition and consequences of the abortion was perceived, although all the interviewed had provoked it. Regarding the feelings, the women, as knowing about the pregnancy, presented many of them that were mixed up among sadness, fear, confusion and even happiness. In relation to regret, 50% of the women regretted themselves of the committed act, nevertheless, they did not have socioeconomic conditions of rising and educating a child, besides, not having family support in this responsibility. Final Considerations: It was detected that the feelings influenced in the actions, even if unconsciously, of the interviewed women; who as knowing about the pregnancy, were taken by many feelings, nevertheless, the decision to abort presented greater magnitude, based on the reality of their lives.