Why people have abortions

There are as many reasons to have an abortion as there are people who have them. Every person’s circumstances, feelings, and health are different—and so are their reasons for choosing an abortion. The decision is deeply personal, and at Hey Jane, we believe that no one should have to justify their abortion. Still, it’s important to talk openly about why people choose abortion—especially as they face those who try to shame others for their choices or limit access to care. Let’s break it down.

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Reasons for abortion are not singular 

Most people don’t have just one reason for choosing an abortion. In fact, in research from the Guttmacher Institute, nearly 9 in 10 people cite at least two reasons for having an abortion, and the average number of reasons given is four. Common combinations include not being able to afford a baby, concerns about how a pregnancy would interfere with school or work, and not wanting to raise a child alone. In-depth interviews reveal that people’s reasons for abortion are often even more nuanced—blending financial stress, parenting responsibilities, relationship challenges, and the realities of an unplanned pregnancy. Abortion decisions rarely fit into tidy categories. They’re complex, deeply personal, and shaped by the unique intersections of a person’s life.

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Personal factors

Many people choose abortion because continuing a pregnancy would negatively impact their existing relationships, responsibilities, or plans for the future. In fact, the most common reasons people give for having abortions are social in nature.

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Relationship trouble

Nearly half (48%) of people seeking abortions report relationship issues or not wanting to become a single parent as a key factor in their decision. Some may be navigating the end of a partnership, feel unsure about the person they’d be co-parenting with, or fear raising a child without adequate support. In some cases, the relationship may be abusive or unsafe—making pregnancy feel even more isolating or dangerous.

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Already parenting

Many people who have abortions are already parents—more than half, in fact. These individuals know what it takes to raise a child and often feel they can’t meet the needs of another. Caring for the children they already have is a valid and loving reason to end a pregnancy.

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Plans and timing

For some people, timing is everything. Around 74% of people who had abortions say that continuing the pregnancy would interfere with their education, work, or ability to manage their other responsibilities. That might mean being in school, training for a career, or simply not feeling emotionally ready to become a parent.

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Financial insecurity

Pregnancy and parenting are expensive. It’s no surprise that 73% of people who had abortions report that they “can’t afford a baby right now.” Between mortgages and rent, child care, health care, food, and basic needs, raising a child in the U.S. can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. For people already struggling to make ends meet, the idea of adding a child—or another child—to the mix may feel overwhelming or impossible.

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Lack of support

Many people who have had abortions say they don’t have the financial or emotional support they would need to continue a pregnancy. This includes people who are working multiple jobs and don’t have access to affordable child care, or who are already caregivers to others in their lives.

Political factors

While many abortion decisions are driven by personal factors, political pressures and restrictions increasingly shape whether and how people can access care.

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Abortion bans and restrictions

After the fall of Roe v. Wade, access to abortion has become more limited—and in some places, nonexistent. This has led people to travel across state lines for abortion care, seek care earlier than planned, or obtain medication abortion through telehealth options like Hey Jane (which are on the rise).

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Distrust in the system

Some people choose abortion because they don’t trust the health care or political system in place to safely support them through pregnancy or parenting. This is especially true for marginalized communities who often experience systemic barriers to quality care.

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Medical risk

While they represent a small portion of abortions in the U.S., some people seek abortion due to health concerns. When a pregnant person’s health is at risk due to complications like ectopic pregnancy, severe hypertension, or other medical conditions, abortion can be life-saving. Others receive heartbreaking news about severe fetal anomalies that are incompatible with life. In these cases, abortion can be a deeply painful but compassionate decision.

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Sexual assault

Less than 1% of abortion patients cite sexual assault or incest as their primary reason for having an abortion—but for those who do, abortion is a critical path to healing and bodily autonomy. People who become pregnant from sexual violence may feel fear, grief, confusion, or even numbness. They might need time to understand what they want, or they may know immediately that they don’t want to continue the pregnancy. 

Unfortunately, survivors often face additional barriers to care. Eight states with abortion bans do not currently make exceptions for rape or incest—or require invasive documentation to prove assault. These policies are not only restrictive, but re-traumatizing.

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There’s no wrong reason to have an abortion

Abortion is about choice. And no matter why someone chooses abortion—whether it’s for social, economic, political, medical, or emotional reasons—they deserve high-quality medical care and support. If you’re seeking out abortion care, see if you’re eligible for treatment with Hey Jane.