UK: To meta-analyse or not to meta-analyse: abortion, birth and mental health

The authors argue that to further improve the mental health outcomes associated with an unwanted pregnancy we should focus practice and research on the individual needs of women with an unwanted pregnancy, rather than how the pregnancy is resolved. From British Journal of Psychiatry. 

The authors note that two recent meta-analyses claim that abortion leads to a deterioration in mental health. Previous reviews concluded that the mental health outcomes following an unwanted pregnancy are much the same whether the woman gives birth or terminates the pregnancy, although there is an increased mental health risk with an unwanted pregnancy. Meta-analysis is particularly susceptible to bias in this area.

The authors argue that physical health outcomes for women with an unwanted pregnancy have improved greatly by making abortion legal. To further improve the mental health outcomes associated with an unwanted pregnancy we should focus practice and research on the individual needs of women with an unwanted pregnancy, rather than how the pregnancy is resolved.

Sheffield Health and Social Care (NHS) Foundation Trust, Fulwood House, Old Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3TH, UK.

To meta-analyse or not to meta-analyse: abortion, birth and mental health. Kendall T, Bird V, Cantwell R, Taylor C. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2012 Jan;200:12-4.