U.S. abortions spike in hard times

For many Americans, the recession is affecting their most intimate decisions about sex and family planning. Doctors and clinics are reporting that many women are choosing abortions and men are having vasectomies because they cannot afford a child. Planned Parenthood of Illinois clinics performed an all-time high number of abortions in January, many of them motivated by economic worries, said CEO Steve Trombley, while Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation, said her organization’s helpline is receiving many calls from women who postponed an abortion while trying to raise money to pay for it. Such delays often mean riskier abortions at even higher cost—the price can double in the second trimester.

Associated Press