Frequently Asked Questions

An abortion survivor is an individual who remains alive after an attempted abortion failed to end their life in the womb. This could mean those who have survived a chemical abortion–whether by procedural failure or abortion pill reversal–surgical abortion, at-home methods, or any other abortion attempt.

The specific effects of a failed abortion vary significantly from person to person. Survivors may experience a range of outcomes, from developmental struggles, damage to organs or other vitals, missing limbs, or scarring. However, some survivors experience none of these.

Psychologically, the aftermath of a failed abortion can be equally complex. Survivors may struggle with feelings of abandonment and loneliness, wonder why they were unwanted, experience mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, or grapple with unhealthy coping behaviors or boundaries.

In some cases, the effects of intrauterine trauma can be felt for a lifetime, impacting a survivor’s sense of self and relationships with others. It is important to remember that each person’s experience is unique, but these struggles can be made lighter. The Abortion Survivors Network exists to support anyone struggling with the effects of a failed abortion.

Although the United States fails to record reliable data on abortion survivors, we have estimated, through Canadian government extrapolations, that 1,734 infants are born alive after a failed abortion procedure every year in the United States.

In other words, about 2 out of every 1,000 abortions result in a live birth. After 49.5 years of Roe v Wade, 85,817 babies lived through an abortion procedure.

Unfortunately, the fate of an infant born alive after an abortion is not always predictable. Ideally, the baby should be treated as a preterm birth and receive medical attention in a hospital to improve its chances of survival. However, not all states have laws to protect these infants, and even fewer enforce such laws.

As a result, there have been numerous reports from healthcare workers of infants being left to die after a failed abortion. The Abortion Survivors Network strongly supports born-alive legislation, which would help ensure these infants’ survival.

Absolutely! The Abortion Survivors Network offers support through healing courses, community groups, and speaker training. For more information or to get involved, visit one of the pages below, or email Kara at connect@abortionsurvivors.org.