Melinda Tankard-Reist recently wrote a book based on interviews with women who have experienced post-abortion trauma, both physical and emotional. It is called "Giving sorrow words", and is a collection of accounts by women who have gone through post-abortion grief. (Duffy&Snellgrove 2000)

Symptoms of post-abortion trauma include: reliving the abortion, impulsive behaviour, increased irritability, depression and guilt, self-defeating and suicidal behaviours, emotional distancing and numbness, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, sadness, sorrow, lowered self-esteem, distrust, hostility towards self and others, regret, sleep disorders, recurring distressing dreams, anniversary reactions, birthdate reactions, alcohol abuse and other escapist behaviour, relationship disruption, sexual dysfunction, flashbacks, weeping, an enduring sense of loss, and an inability to forgive oneself.
While the initial reaction after the abortion may be of relief at a problem solved, anniversary dates and the birth of a first living child are common times for PAT to arise.
An operation to remove cells would not cause this kind of post-traumatic reaction, showing that consciously or unwillingly, the body, mind and spirit realise that there was a death of a living child at the time of the abortion. Many women wish they could turn the clock back, or blame the pressure and non-support of partner and family for being forced to go against their own instincts about being pregnant. Others who are relieved at first, find symptoms swamping them later as the reality of loss sinks in .

Studies  are finding PAT as a recognised condition. Families are being affected, not just the woman herself.
Peter Doherty has done a study of "Post-abortion syndrome: its wide ramifications" (Four Court Press 1995) and other studies on the effect of abortion on families have been done by Dr. Philip Ney.

                          "For over a decade those who wanted abortions on request argued that it was
                          necessary for every child to be a wanted child. However, there are reasons to believe
                          abortion on request not only has not solved the problem of unwanted, neglected or
                          battered children, it has worsened the problem." Philip Ney, M.D., "Relationship
                          between abortion and child abuse," Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 24:610, 1979
Sometimes, the mother shows ambivalence towards her living children in an abusive way, and other mothers react by overprotecting the children they have. Ney, a psychiatrist and child psychologist in Victoria, British Columbia, first noticed the traumatic impact of abortion from his work with children. Ney  went on to do research and counseling for children whose siblings were aborted. He moved into counseling for women traumatized by their own abortions.

Quotes from PAS studies and journal articles  can be found at Baptists for Life
Statistics and studies on the increase in child abuse - article from Endeavour Forum

For this reason, many Christian groups reach out to women who have had abortions, offering them counselling, and opportunities to ask God's forgiveness and healing. One of the most healing processes is an opportunity to name the child and commit them into God's care.

Central Qld help     Survivors of Abortion Rockhampton (post-abortion counselling)
 phone  Toll Free Number within Australia 1800 819 951
Survivors of Abortion  is online
 

For women who have had an abortion - the mercy of God  (quote from article 99 of Evangelium Vitae) Pope John Paul II

Elliott Institute...www.afterabortion.org (info on post abortion syndrome - the aftereffects of abortion - and post-abortion healing)
Post-abortion help and support :
Survivors of abortion (Australian site)
www.opendoors.com.au      abortionconcern.org      projectrachel        Healing Hearts Post-abortion ministry       Project Grace    

Men hurt too after abortion
Apart from the emotional hurt that can arise soon or long after the event, there are numerous physical injuries that can arise from abortion, leading either later hospitalisation for blood loss or infection, or to infertility.
These include puncturing the uterus, excessive bleeding and infection. Infection sometimes results from missing all or part of the baby, leading to the need for a further curette. Other complications range from injuries to the intestines and the urinary tract, problems with anesthesia, increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, heart failure and embolism.
Sterility is another risk women face if they undergo abortions. Studies have found that 3 to 5 percent of all women who have had abortions are left sterile. Often, women must undergo hysterectomies because of damage to the
reproductive organs.

Then there is the cancer risk. Among these is Professor Joel Brind's research findings of increased risk of breast cancer. Links to information on this are: http://www.abortioncancer.com/ , www.abortionbreastcancer.com
www.catholic.org/culture-of- life/abortionbreastcancer.html and Endeavour Forum .

Then there are subsequent self-destructive behaviours, such as substance abuse.
Women who have an abortion are five times more likely to report subsequent substance abuse compared to women who carry to term, according to a study "Abortion and Subsequent Substance Abuse" published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Volume 26, Issue 1, 2000 pp. 61 - 75.**(SLQ Health and Wellness online fulltext article)
 The study was authored by Elliot Institute director Dr. David Reardon and Dr. Philip Ney, a British Columbia psychiatrist who specializes in post-abortion counseling. According to the authors, while the connection between abortion and substance abuse has never been widely publicized, this is at least the 16th published study connecting a history of abortion to subsequent drug or alcohol abuse. David C. Reardon, Ph.D., Elliot Institute, Philip G. Ney, M.D., FRCP(C), Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada