“They Made Me Listen to the Beat of the Fetus.” “You Have to Suffer.” The Voices Behind Abortion Denied: A Look at Forced Precedents and Psychological Trauma
In a deeply polarizing atmosphere surrounding abortion laws in the United States, one element that has remained quietly shadowed is the psychological toll on women who are forced to carry pregnancies against their will. Increasingly, laws in several states restrict access to abortion, requiring women to either face severe delays, hurdles, or outright denials of care. As the debate over reproductive rights rages on, the voices of those who experience these forced pregnancies—often silenced or overlooked—are beginning to be heard.
From required counseling sessions to mandatory ultrasound procedures, these women often face a cruel form of emotional and psychological torment. In the starkest terms, some women have reported experiences in which they were forced to listen to the heartbeat of a fetus, in some cases as a method of persuasion to keep the pregnancy. Such practices can feel like a coercive act—where the emotional burden of parenthood is placed squarely on those least able to make the decision for themselves.
The Disturbing Reality of Forced Counseling and Ultrasounds
One of the most troubling elements that women who have been denied abortions report is the mandatory counseling or ultrasound procedures. These sessions, often dictated by state law, aim to “inform” women about the development of the fetus, sometimes in stark and jarring terms. One of the most disturbing techniques involves requiring women to listen to the heartbeat of the fetus, a procedure some have described as emotional manipulation.
In interviews with women from across the country, several shared accounts of being placed in rooms where they were forced to hear the heartbeat, with one woman describing it as “a haunting reminder of something I wasn’t ready for.” Others described being told that they “had to suffer” for their decision, as though enduring these procedures was part of a larger moral lesson imposed upon them.
“I was made to listen to the beat of the fetus. I didn’t want to, but they told me I had to hear it. It’s as if they were trying to convince me that this was a life I couldn’t stop,” one woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “You don’t realize the emotional weight of it until you’re in the room, and you can’t escape the sound.”
The Growing Psychological Impact of Abortion Denial
These procedures and the emotional burden they carry are becoming more common as abortion laws shift in states like Texas, Alabama, and Ohio. With increasing legislation that not only restricts abortion access but also imposes mandatory waiting periods and counseling sessions, women are often subjected to additional emotional strain.
Psychologists and advocates argue that the impact of these forced procedures can be long-lasting, contributing to feelings of guilt, shame, and helplessness. Dr. Rachel Stein, a clinical psychologist specializing in reproductive health, explains the psychological effects of these interventions: “When a woman is forced to listen to the heartbeat of a fetus, or when they are told to ‘suffer’ for a decision that is intensely personal, it creates trauma. The emotional scars left by such experiences are profound.”
Furthermore, some women have shared that these experiences left them feeling trapped—guilt-ridden, cornered, and without recourse, all while grappling with the enormity of a decision that many didn’t feel was theirs to make. For many, these interactions feel less like education and more like coercion—a way to manipulate their emotions and influence the decision-making process.
Stories of Struggle and Strength
While some women bravely choose to proceed with the pregnancy despite their initial desires to terminate, others find the emotional burden unbearable. “The voices telling me I had to suffer—telling me this was the right thing to do—it destroyed me inside,” said another woman who had sought an abortion but was denied by the state. “There’s no understanding of what it means to be in that position, to have your life dictated by others who don’t know what it’s like to be in your shoes.”
The psychological toll of being denied an abortion also extends far beyond the immediate experience of the procedure. The trauma often continues into the pregnancy itself, impacting the woman’s mental and physical well-being. Many women report anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation, which only intensify when they are told repeatedly that they “must suffer” as part of a moral or ethical consequence.
The Legal and Ethical Questions
As legal battles over abortion continue to unfold, advocates for reproductive rights are urging lawmakers to consider not only the legal but also the emotional and psychological aspects of forcing women to carry pregnancies they do not want. The emotional trauma caused by these forced interactions has become a focal point in discussions about abortion laws.
“These women are not only fighting for their right to choose but for their mental health and well-being,” said Sarah Martinez, a reproductive rights attorney. “When you strip someone of their agency and impose emotional hardships on them, you violate not only their physical rights but their psychological integrity as well.”
Looking Ahead
The conversation surrounding abortion rights has evolved beyond legality, focusing increasingly on the personal, emotional experiences of the women involved. The stories of those denied abortions, of the pain, emotional manipulation, and psychological suffering they endure, must not be ignored.
As states continue to implement stricter laws, the voices of these women—those who have been forced to carry pregnancies or endure emotional and psychological manipulation—will remain vital in the national conversation. The experiences of women who face the denial of abortion care must be heard and understood, not as abstract political arguments but as deeply personal stories of suffering and survival.
With the future of abortion access uncertain in many parts of the country, it is critical that the emotional and psychological costs of these restrictive laws be acknowledged, so that we can better understand the full impact of policies that mandate suffering in the name of morality. These voices are the voices of those left behind in the wake of restrictive laws—those who carry the weight of decisions they should never have been forced to make.
