Can I Change My Mind In The Middle Of A Medical Abortion?

July 9, 2020 by Elodie Takamiya

Need help now? Call 1-877-558-0333

Sure enough, the pregnancy test came out positive. And it’s not something you wanted, least of all expected. So after contemplating your options, you decided to have a medical abortion. You took the first abortion pill, but now you find yourself hesitant. Your thoughts are scattered and you are not so sure about wanting to do this anymore. Is there a way out? Can you still change your mind?

The answer is yes.

Change mind medical abortion

Women Do Change Their Minds During Medical Abortions

“From June 24, 2012 to June 21, 2016, 1,668 calls were received by the hotline from women who had taken mifepristone and were interested in reversal.” Think about it. That is more than one woman a day. And these statistics are only about women who:

Were having medical abortions instead of surgical ones (the later may also change their minds and decide to not keep their planned appointment. And since medical abortion accounts for only about 39%, think about how many more women may reconsider abortion),
Decided to reach out to that specific hotline.

So you are not the first one to go through this, and you most certainly won’t be the last. Women DO really change their minds during an abortion, for whatever reason that may be. And you know what? Some even do so after completing the entire medical abortion process (a medical abortion involves two pills: mifepristone and misoprostol. Read “How the abortion pill really works” to learn more about it) and realizing they are still pregnant.

According to a study analyzing the effectiveness of medical abortion, 10% of women (9 out of 89) who still had a viable pregnancy after taking misoprostol made this choice. So why does that happen? Why are you experiencing so much confusion?

Brain and stress

How Our Brains Perceive And React To Stressful Events

Our brains don’t like stress, because stress can wreak havoc on our health in the long-term. And the essence of stress is uncertainty. When we face an unexpected situation, we see it as a threat. And our brain’s reaction is to want to eliminate that threat. We ask ourselves “how can I safeguard my future physical, mental and social wellbeing”, and then we act accordingly. The downside is that when we perceive a threat, it’s as if we had a red light flashing at us and were unable to think rationally. Our prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for planning and decision-making shuts down: “Complex decision-making disappears, as does our access to multiple perspectives. As our attention narrows, we find ourselves trapped in the one perspective that makes us feel the most safe“.

What does it have to do with your current pregnancy? Everything. You see, we often see an unplanned pregnancy as a threat. It is a sudden intrusion that you did not want, and that you maybe even actively tried to prevent by using contraception (just like 50% of women going through abortion). But it didn’t work, and you felt that the baby would shatter your entire life. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be so black or white. You don’t have to choose between your dreams and your baby. You can still go back and choose both, because you are not alone.

Change mind abortion

What Is Abortion Pill Reversal?

Abortion Pill Reversal is a protocol that has been designed by researchers and physicians for women like you, who initiated a medical abortion and changed their minds. It works by taking progesterone, the natural hormone essential for pregnancy that is being blocked by the abortion pill.

If you want to reverse an abortion, though, you need to receive the first dose of progesterone in the following 24 to 72 hours after taking mifepristone. The sooner you start the abortion pill reversal protocol, the higher your chances of saving your pregnancy. To find a reversal provider in your area, call 1-877-558-0333.

You can read more about the abortion pill reversal process and what you should expect when you come to Lifeline.

Now, maybe you still don’t feel ready to have a baby. That is okay. You don’t have to have all the answers or feel prepared enough right away. At Lifeline, we provide many services at no cost, ranging from confidential counseling, parenting classes, support for dads, to adoption and other referrals. We are here for you!