By Elizabeth Ring-Cassidy and Ian Gentles

Elizabeth Ring-Cassidy and Ian Gentles have assembled a compelling account of the research on post-abortion difficulties, both short and long term. Although they often touch upon technical matters, they write with a humanity and clarity that makes their conclusions readily accessible to the general reader. As this book makes overwhelmingly clear, women who seek abortions in the United States and Canada are not even told of the risks they are running. It is hard to see the intentional withholding of such essential information as a contribution to women's "liberation", much less their dignity and well being. Elizabeth Fox-Genovese , Professor of the Humanities , Emory University, Atlanta

At a time when the Canadian government has thought fit to enact legislation with respect to human and artificial reproduction, the publication of this well-researched book on abortion is very timely. It should be read by all professionals who are concerned with women's health. Dr. Heather Morris , Assistant Professor of , Obstetrics & Gynaecology , University of Toronto

This book will save lives. I know that with the kind of unresearchable good cheer which sweeps over me every time one of my close-call patients brings a happy baby into my office. Close-call patients need encouragement, sometimes lengthy encouragement, to carry on with a dodgy pregnancy but to their eventual joy, and mine, they trudge onward to the finish line and claim their prize. Anecdotes have their place, but we can now add the distilled conclusions of over 500 relevant research papers and books when counseling pregnant women about the abortion option.

Elizabeth Ring-Cassidy and Ian Gentles laboured mightily to update the 1985 survey entitled "Abortion's Aftermath" and have produced a handbook readable by anyone who cares about the health of women and children. Recent insights into the risks of breast cancer and future premature delivery are concisely summarized, and the myth that abortion is ultimately safer than completion of pregnancy is laid to well-deserved rest. A high profile (depressed, coerced, very young, and other factors) is described where the psychological morbidity risks alone ought to result in encouragement, even from an abortion provider, to continue the pregnancy.

The deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research deserves congratulations for sponsoring a project which helps to close the disclosure gap between women and the facts about abortion. Ideological forces have obstructed women's access to true informed consent before abortion procedures. This situation would not be tolerated for any other medical or surgical act, and there are encouraging signs, this book not least, that this selective denial can be overcome. Dr. Will Johnston , President , Canadian Physicians for Life

On-line order form

Women's Health after Abortion can be ordered from: T he deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research 3089 Bathurst St #316 - Toronto, ON M6A 2A4 Ph. (416) 256-0555 - Fax (416) 256-0611 - Email: bioethics@deveber.org