Abortion as a possibility on the existence of the woman: existential-phenomenological reflections

Abstract

The research aimed to understand the experience of five women who had an abortion. From the hermeneutic phenomenology, results revealed that the experience of abortion is seen as a choice. The most common feeling experienced by these women was guilt, as well as helplessness and loneliness. It was revealed that abortion was chosen based on their desire to continue life projects and pursue motherhood only in a stable relationship. Regarding the care provided by the health professionals at the time of the abortion, the research revealed the need for some restructuring of SUS in order to better assist these women. This experience also brought these women to reconsider the meanings they had in regard to abortion and their life projects.