Experience with 50 first time aborters, 50 second time aborters, and 50 third time aborters residing in an urban area of Copenhagen suggests that women having a repeat abortion are more similar than dissimilar to women having a first induced abortion. There were no differences in socioeconomic status, educational level, or stated reasons for choosing abortion (usually socioeconomic and family considerations). Though similar to first and second time aborters in their life situations and greater contraceptive risk-taking, third timers seemed to become pregnant more readily. They were also less willing to be interviewed. Related studies and suggestions for postabortion counseling are discussed.
PIP: Interviews conducted with 50 first-time abortion patients and 100 repeat abortion seekers (50 second and 50 third abortions) who had their pregnancies terminated in 1990-93 at the University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, indicated that women having a repeat abortion are generally similar to those undergoing a first abortion in terms of demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and stated reasons for choosing abortion. In all three groups, economic factors and family considerations motivated the request for abortion. No contraception was used at the time of conception in 32% of first-time, 38% of second-time, and 41% of third-time aborters. 43% of first aborters reported having no stable partner and 71% of second aborters were unmarried and living alone; however, although 50% of third aborters lived alone, most had a steady partner. Notable was the fact that, whereas none of the eligible first-time abortion seekers and only 3% of second aborters refused to be interviewed, the refusal rate was 30% among the 73 women undergoing a third abortion in the study period. Also indicative of shame in the third group was a general unwillingness to discuss reasons related to the failure to use contraception effectively, a resistance not evident in first- and second-time aborters. Finally, women undergoing a third abortion recalled significantly more minor somatic complications and short-term psychological problems (e.g., sadness and regret) associated with their second abortion than second aborters reported for their first termination. Third-time aborters may represent a select group of more fecund women who become pregnant easily when relying on less effective contraceptive behavior. Recommended, to decrease the prevalence of repeat abortions, are more needs-specific postabortion counseling, education of male partners to assume more responsibility for future pregnancy prevention, and availability of postcoital methods.