Women face a number of possible physical complications as a result of legal abortion including hemorrhage requiring transfusion, perforation of the uterus, cardiac arrest, endotoxic shock, major unintended surgery, infection resulting in hospitalization, convulsions, undiagnosed ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, cervical laceration, uterine rupture, and death. (Warren Hern, 1990, p. 175-193.)

All women, especially young teenagers, are at risk for damage to their cervix during an abortion, which can lead to complications with later pregnancies. (Kenneth Schultz, The Lancet, 1983)

A recent literature review concluded abortion is a risk factor for “mood disorders substantial enough to provoke attempts of self-harm.”(John Thorp,Obstetrical&Gynecological Survey, 2003)

As many as 60% of women having an abortion experience some level of emotional distress afterwards. In 30% of women, the distress is classified as severe. (Hanna Soderberg, European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 1998.)

The recent case of a 16 year old at Yashwant Nagar, Virar, resorting to helplessly throwing the just born from a terrace top is an indicator of young girls not having access to alternatives like confidential counseling and shelter homes to bring their pregnancy to full term and to then give up the child for adoption.