To view the Abstract of Fighting for Control, Click Here
Overview
- Study title: “Fighting for Control: Choosing Abortion Pill Reversal”
- One-on-one interviewing was used with a group of 12 participants on the campus of Heartbeat International in Columbus, OH.
- Participants varied in age, race, religion, and income.
- All had attempted reversal, with 10 having successful reversal attempts, one stopped the reversal to complete the abortion, and one had an unsuccessful reversal.
Study:
Background
Objectives
- To discover women’s emotional responses to the Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) procedure, particularly through identifying the pivotal moment a woman chooses to attempt reversal
- To find out how women who immediately or soon after taking the first abortion pill found APR and accessed healthcare
- To understand women’s possible fears about APR
- To understand the emotional responses toward APR after the process was completed
Findings
While the trauma of the unexpected pregnancy led women to choose abortion in the first place, all respondents explain that they delayed making their decision and contemplated not making it at all. Many had multiple visits with abortion providers because they could not bring themselves to begin the two-step, two-drug process at their initial appointment. Since the FDA has set the allowable limit for chemical abortion at the 10th week of pregnancy, women describe feeling rushed for time as their window of opportunity begins to close. They fear having to have an emotionally and physically-taxing surgical abortion if they do not begin the abortion pill process, so they proceed with their decision, though they wish “someone else would just decide” for them.
In order to follow through on their abortion plan, women attempt to “go dumb,” or, as one respondent best put it, they try to “be a zombie.” They block out all rational thought and emotion in an attempt to move past their own hesitation to start the abortion process. Because they were hesitant to begin with and wrestled with their decision, they hope and expect committing to this choice by swallowing the first abortion pill will bring clarity and stability to their situation. The “relief” they anticipate, however, either never comes or proves to be extremely short-lived.
Maintaining a numb, zombie-like composure proves to be too much of a challenge for these women and regret sets in almost immediately. They experience an immediate shift in emotion, often just after leaving the abortion facility. In this moment, they go from rejecting the identity of being mothers to not only embracing the identity of motherhood, but also to becoming protective mothers that seek to undo their mistakes and ensure their preborn children are safe.
There is a high level of urgency when accessing APR– one that outweighs fears and any hypothesized barriers to care or concerns. One respondent put it perfectly when she said, “I was determined to make it right with myself at that point, to do whatever I could to set everything up so that if the baby did make it, that I would do my best to give the baby whatever they needed.”
In short, these women were determined to regain control of their situations and to attempt to carry their pregnancies to term.
As for their access to Abortion Pill Reversal, all respondents found information online using their phones. Some were helped through a family member`s internet search that resulted in information about APR.
During interviews, it became clear these women rely on one thing throughout their APR experiences: Hope. Hope is what drives them to start APR and what sustains them throughout their journeys. Respondents said they did not need or expect certainty, rather they just wanted someone to answer questions and offer hope for the possibility of positive outcomes through healthy, sustained pregnancies.
Additionally, there were more references to faith, religion and spirituality in this research study than any study we`ve done over the last thirty years. Women describe a transformative process where more than just their babies were saved. During their interviews, they recall darkness to light conversions in their lives as they relive their experiences with APR and express immense gratitude for the help they received. In their interviews they specifically use words like: God, faith, spirituality, and hope.
In keeping with the previous theme, women who chose APR, and whose pregnancies continued, believe their children are “miracles” and feel grateful for the help they received. Phrases like “miracle child,” “special” and “gifted” were used in nearly every interview. Even respondents who remained non-religious reported feeling like their children were “meant to be here.”
In almost every case, the pivotal moment was swallowing the first abortion pill (usually under duress) and immediately regretting it. Generally, respondents found APR by making a search on (usually) their phones. In a number of cases, immediate regret was felt as they began their search for a way to reverse the decision in their car, right after taking the first abortion pill.
One respondent lamented taking the pill to friends who steered her to a clinic. Another respondent’s mother did the research and a friend provided the emotional and transportation support. A third respondent also had her mother do the research and tell her about the opportunity, with two sisters making long calls and begging her not to take the 2nd pill. (Both mothers got the information by online searching, just like the other respondents.)
Initial perceptions are almost all very positive, and filled with hope. They do not know if APR will be successful, but they desperately want it to be. This study uncovered no “negatives” that must be overcome. A few respondents were skeptical of it working but were willing to try and had no medical concerns.
The women in this study regretted taking the abortion pill and grabbed for APR like a lifeline tossed to a drowning person. There were no concerns about chemical makeup or side-effects. None of them questioned anything about the process.
For the most part, the aftermath of successful APR is a deep sense of relief that they “undid” the abortion. Some of the respondents do struggle, especially economically, with the factors which supported getting an abortion in the first place, but all feel like they have overcome great obstacles. Those who have engaged with pregnancy help centers feel like their physical and emotional needs are being met. Several have long-term working relationships with pregnancy centers now. The only “unmet needs” involve a great deal of guilt many respondents feel for “trying to kill my baby”. They seek forgiveness and atonement.
Implications
Women who access APR experience regret almost immediately. APR services should be readily available to them when that happens. In this situation, time is of the essence, and it is crucial that doctors consult with women and begin the APR regimen within the first 72 hours. Additionally, continued follow-up support is recommended, as she may be experiencing needs in other areas that pregnancy centers or other organizations can assist with (housing, job insecurity, food instability, etc.). This is also an excellent way to bring a woman into the fold of an organization so that she doesn’t feel forced to complete the abortion she initially began.
Medical offices may also consider focusing on a woman’s circle of influence as it may be a support person who is searching for answers and providing her with information. It is important to highlight the powerful idea of hope, the excellent safety record of APR, and the fact that APR is simply replacing the natural hormone, progesterone, that the abortion chemical, Mifepristone, unnaturally removed.
Women who have chosen APR nearly universally express a profound desire to rekindle or begin a faith journey and walk with God. Their experiences dealing with the trauma of unexpected pregnancies, the immediate regret of choosing abortion, and the seemingly miraculous opportunity and second chance to protect and save their children is a powerful avenue to God. This unique journey allows them to be open to God, prayer, and religion which provides an opportunity for pregnancy centers to offer spiritual support or connections in addition to medical and emotional support services.
Because these women turn to the internet in their time of need, it is important to ensure medical offices and pregnancy centers include information about APR online. This can include information about how essential the hormone progesterone is in pregnancy, how Mifepristone works as a progesterone antagonist, and how the APR regimen attempts to sustain a pregnancy.
Conclusion
Motivators for abortion have not changed since the initial Right Brain Research study, Abortion The Least of Three Evils, conducted in 1992, which cause women to feel they have no choice but to abort. The trauma of contemplating the loss of their future selves is what drives them to their initial decision, as they are seeking to take control of their lives and situations through abortion, though they remain uncomfortable and delay making their choice until time runs out.
Interestingly, for this subset of women – those who chose to attempt reversal– the realization of their choice to abort hits them hard and fast, in ways they did not expect, sometimes mere moments after leaving their abortion appointment and taking the first abortion pill, Mifepristone. Instantly, respondents explain that they feel determined to rectify their mistake and regain control of their situation by attempting reversal.
The entire experience of reversing their abortion attempt and carrying their preborn children brings a unique sense of empowerment and resolution to their lives. Additionally, they attest to finding hope in their faith or spiritual journey through the process.