From Hesitation to Birth: The Lived Experience of Women Deciding to Withdraw from Abortion
Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va Salāmat (i.e., Research on Religion & Health),
Vol. 12 No. 2 (1405),
4 July 2026
,
Page 77-89
Abstract
Background and Objective: Abortion is a multidimensional phenomenon, and decision-making regarding it occurs within a context shaped by individual, social, moral, and cultural factors. Contrary to the common perception of abortion as a purely personal choice, evidence suggests that this decision is deeply intertwined with moral and spiritual conflicts. The present study aimed to explore the lived experiences of women who decided against abortion and to elucidate the psychological, moral, and spiritual dimensions of this decision.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a conventional content analysis approach. Data were collected through 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews with women who had decided against abortion within the past 7 months to 3.5 years. Participants were purposefully selected from various cities across Iran. In the present study, all ethical considerations were observed and the authors reported no conflicts of interest.
Results: Data analysis led to the emergence of six main themes: 1- From shock to burden of guilt (shock, anxiety, guilt, and concerns about fetal harm), 2- Mothers’ perception of the fetus: a complete human being or an incomplete entity, 3- The dilemma between conscience and reality (conflict between religious–moral beliefs and socioeconomic pressures), 4- Experiencing maternal guilt and shame in the decision-making process, 5- From unwanted pregnancy to divine acceptance (the role of destiny and religious beliefs in withdrawing from abortion), and 6- The duality of peace and anxiety after childbirth.
Conclusion: The lived experiences of women revealed that deciding against abortion is a complex process interwoven with psychological, moral, social, and spiritual dimensions. These findings highlight the necessity of designing multidimensional supportive and counseling interventions tailored to the conditions of women facing unwanted pregnancies.
- Birth
- Criminal abortion
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Women
How to Cite
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