Therapeutic termination of pregnancy and major psychiatric outcomes in parents

Abstract

Objectives: Therapeutic termination of pregnancy (TToP) may have psychiatric outcomes like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD).

Material and methods: 45 couples had psychiatric evaluation before TToP and after one-year period.

Results: TToP is linked to acute development of depressive symptoms that recover with time and professional support. Twelve percent of women developed PTSD (but 29.5% refused one-year evaluation due to mental distress at recalling TToP). Fathers showed no psychiatric outcomes.

Conclusions: Acute depressive symptoms after TToP improve with professional support but PTSD rate is concerning and stress importance of mental health implications and need for adequate related treatments.

Keywords: Depression; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Therapeutic termination of pregnancy.