Uta Landy, former executive director of National Abortion Federation, acknowledges that women can be deeply ambivalent about having an abortion even when they come to the clinic. She emphasizes that proper counseling is necessary.she states:
“Some women’s feelings about their pregnancy are not simply ambivalent but deeply confused. This confusion is not necessarily expressed in a straightforward manner, but can hide behind such outward behavior as: (1) being uncommunicative, (2) being extremely self-assured, (3) being impatient (how long is this going to take, I have other important things to do), or (4) being hostile (this is an awful place, you are an awful doctor, counselor, nurse; I hate being here).”
Despite Landy’s recommendation, few clinics offer the extensive counseling that even abortion providers say is necessary
Landy, “Abortion Counseling – A New Component of Medical Care” Clinics in Obs/Gyn, 13 (1): 33 – 41 (1986)
