[Women and the painful experience of therapeutic abortion].
OBJECTIVE
When the antenatal diagnosis reveals a serious anomaly of the fetus, the couple can envisage a therapeutic abortion. This qualitative study aims to bring a better understanding of emotional impact and perinatal grief after a therapeutic abortion.


METHODS
Seven women who have had a therapeutic abortion participated in a semidirective interview.


RESULTS
The analysis of the collected data reveals the psychological trauma caused by a therapeutic abortion, the significant distress of the mothers accentuated by omnipresent guilt feelings, persistent symptoms of depression and anxiety. Different reactions within the couple are perceived and can lead to marital conflict.


CONCLUSIONS
Results show a need for a psychological follow-up of the individual as well as the couple.
Gaudet
C
C
Centre d'études et de recherches en psychopathologie, université de Toulouse II - le Mirail, 5, allée Antonio-Machado, 31058 Toulouse, France.
Séjourné
N
N
Allard
M-A
MA
Chabrol
H
H
D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*