A study that asked women who had abortion about how they feel about their decision three years later showed 95% of them do not have any regrets. Nearly 1,000 women were surveyed by researchers at the University of California between January 2008 and December 2010.

All these women aborted their babies in one of 30 different clinics in different states. It was learnt after extensively interviewing these women that 95% of them did not regret their decision, said the researchers.

“Women also experienced reduced emotional intensity over time: the feelings of relief and happiness experienced shortly after the abortion tended to subside, as did negative emotions. Notably, we found no differences in emotional trajectories or decision rightness between women having earlier versus later procedures”, said the authors.

Guttmacher Institute says that about four in 10 unintended pregnancies end up in abortion. A decline has been recorded in overall abortion rates, but the rate is increasing among poor women.

The researchers said further studies are needed to be conducted as the sample size was not enough to confirm the results. They said that emotional support from people plays an important role in keeping women positive about their decision of abortion.

State laws allow women to go for abortion at 24 to 26 weeks of the pregnancy.