Dr. Anthony McCarthy:

I have seen women who regretted having abortions. I have seen women who have had long-term mental health problems following abortions. Every time I think about that, I think of particular individuals. I have seen huge numbers of women who have had abortions and that has not been the case.

The vast majority of women are aware that an abortion could be negative to their mental health. The vast majority of women struggle with that and they are ambivalent. Those who have mental health problems already are the ones who are most aware. They are also aware that if they go on to have a baby, there is a risk to their mental health.

I was perhaps being slightly mischievous with Senator Mullen in asking whether we should get women to see a psychiatrist before they ever get pregnant. To a certain extent it is the same question. There are women who regret not having had a termination. There are women who regret the failure of the morning-after pill. There are women who regret both. Most people have the knowledge that an abortion may be damaging to their mental health. That is often the reason for their ambivalence. In terms of the idea that there is a message out there that abortion is good for one's mental health always, with happy smiling faces, that is not how it is on the ground. There will always be people who will regret serious decisions. Becoming pregnant is a very emotional time. A straight answer as to whether women should be aware there are potential mental health difficulties following abortion is, yes, of course, as there are after pregnancy.