Cancelling or Rescheduling an Abortion Appointment FAQs
- An appointment for an abortion can be canceled at any time—even at the last minute!
- The medical professionals understand if you change your mind or need more time because they respect your free choice—at any step of the process!
- Typically, you will not be charged for the abortion procedure if you cancel.
I Already Have an Appointment with the Abortion Clinic. Is It Okay to Cancel or Reschedule?
If you have an abortion appointment, you can cancel it at any time! And you do not have to provide a reason. Rescheduling the appointment multiple times—within the legal timeframe—is also possible.
There is no reason for you to feel obligated to show up for the appointment. Maybe you already had a pre-abortion consultation where the doctor took a lot of time to discuss every detail. Still, you are free to cancel the appointment until the very last moment. Don't feel guilty about canceling. This is not about them. It is about you and the significant life choice you are facing.
Some women sense their gut telling them not to go through with the abortion when they are already on the way to the appointment, in the waiting room, or the procedure room. Even then, it is your right as a woman to stop it at any time—up until the moment before the procedure or the administration of the abortion pill.
Also, no one has the right to force you into an abortion or pressure you in any way. If you did not make the appointment or it was not your idea, you are not obligated to go through with it!
Possible Reasons for Cancelling an Abortion
It is not uncommon for women to change their minds or feel the need for more time. Abortion appointments are frequently canceled—doctors are aware of this and are prepared for it. A good doctor who cares about you and your well-being will understand your struggle and respect your choice.
There are various reasons why you might decide to cancel the planned abortion appointment:
- I am still unsure whether I want an abortion.
- I feel anxious about having an abortion.
- I have decided to keep the baby.
I Am Still Unsure Whether I Want an Abortion
Many women have second thoughts before an abortion appointment. These doubts can slowly rise to the forefront or pop up suddenly and intensely.
Perhaps you feel an inner resistance to taking the planned step...
You may have approached everything very quickly up to this point or made the decision hastily. When all the logistical arrangements are in place, it's not unusual for your deeper feelings and thoughts (maybe for the first time) to reveal a different desire—even though the abortion decision has already been made.
Maybe your mind has handled much of the process so far, but now your heart has found its voice, and you're no longer sure if abortion is indeed the right choice for you.
Or perhaps your body is expressing hidden uncertainty through physical sensations: You suddenly feel unwell, weak, and unable to attend the appointment.
Options on How to Proceed:
- You can postpone the surgery or medical abortion to give yourself more time.
- You can cancel your appointment, taking a step back to calmly reconsider what is best for you.
- You can still go to the pre-abortion consultation (if it is offered) to learn more about the process of a possible abortion. The clinic staff will understand if you tell them you want to gather information for now. However, make sure to clearly communicate that you do not wish to proceed with the abortion appointment at this time. Otherwise, the doctor will probably assume that the abortion will take place as scheduled.
You may like:
- ⚖️ Should I have an abortion? — Take our free Abortion Quiz and receive an immediate professional evaluation
- 💚 Sign up for our 7-day Decision Coaching and receive a daily email with food for thought, stories of other women, and tips for making a good decision.
I Feel Anxious about Having an Abortion and How It Would Affect Me
Fear is a common emotion before an abortion. This fear can seem paralysing, making you feel unprepared to go through with the abortion. Anxious feelings may also be rooted in the concern about emotional repercussions or even abortion regret.
These feelings can arise regardless of whether you have already made a decision. It can feel like you are being torn in opposite directions. This might sound familiar: On one hand, you see no other option but abortion, and on the other, you feel anxious about it.
This is a harrowing and intense process. Taking your fears seriously and allowing yourself to explore them is essential. Your emotions matter! Refrain from brushing them aside or going beyond what you feel comfortable with. Only take this step if you feel absolutely sure about it.
Options on How to Proceed:
- You can cancel or postpone the surgery or medical abortion for now, removing the pressure and giving you time to calm down.
- Explore your fears in order to have the freedom to make a solid decision: Could they be trying to protect you from something? Is there anything you would regret not trying before making a final decision about the pregnancy?
- Many women find it helpful to hone in on their deepest longing: What do I really want? What path would I choose if all my current worries and concerns about keeping the baby suddenly disappeared?
You may like:
- ⚖️ Should I have an abortion? — Take our free Abortion Quiz and receive an immediate professional evaluation
- 💚 Sign up for our 7-day Decision Coaching and receive a daily email with food for thought, stories of other women, and tips for making a good decision.
I Want to Keep the Baby
It frequently happens that women cancel their abortion appointments because they realise they want to keep their baby. This is usually the result of a longer decision-making process. However, this realisation can also emerge suddenly—sometimes as the abortion appointment approaches.
If you feel that you definitely do not want an abortion, you can cancel your appointment at any time! Even if the medical staff does not respond empathically (perhaps because much of this is routine for them) or the people closest to you don’t initially support your decision, it is your right and your choice!
Despite having a clear conviction that you do not want an abortion, it is possible that your other concerns still linger. You might still be wondering how everything will work out with the baby. This is entirely understandable, as solutions are often found one step at a time. Remembering there is no need to rush might also bring relief and encouragement. You can take your time to consider how to move forward, what support might be available, and who can walk alongside you!
- Have the courage to cancel your appointment and trust your gut that abortion is not the right path for you!
- Write down your thoughts or choose a reminder of your decision (e.g., a picture, a date carved in wood, a quote).
- Confide in people who will support you with kindness. You can decide what you want to share with them. However, receiving as much support and encouragement as possible in the coming days can be helpful—especially if no one had known about your pregnancy until now.
You may like:
- 🙌 Support Near Me—Information on organisations with links to their websites
- 💚 First-Time Mom: Stories and Hacks
- 💰Help with Money: Financial Assistance for Pregnant Women
- 💬 How do I tell him that I want to keep the baby?
Medical Abortion: What If I Don’t Want to Go Through with It Right Now?
When having doubts after deciding on a medical abortion, various concerns may be at play, many of which are addressed below:
If I Postpone My Appointment, Will It Be Too Late for a Medical Abortion?
Depending on where you live, having a medical abortion is possible until the 9th (British Isles, Australia, South Africa) or 10th week (USA, Canada, New Zealand) LMP (counting from your last menstrual period). Depending on which week of pregnancy you are in, it might be that the abortion pill will no longer be an option once the appointment is rescheduled. Surgical abortions are possible beyond the first ten weeks.
Maybe you have already scheduled an appointment for a medication-based abortion, but you are still uncertain about your decision and would like to postpone the appointment. However, you might feel additional pressure because only surgical methods would be available beyond this point.
In counseling, we often find that what matters most is not choosing the right method but making the right decision. Therefore, it is wise not to let the time constraints of a particular method place you under pressure. Give yourself the freedom and time to make a good decision.
- 🏥 Abortion Methods: What Do I Need to Know? — Quiz
- ⏳Until When Can I Get an Abortion?
- 👍 Informational Page: How Do I Make a Good Decision?
I Already Took the First Pill of the Abortion Regimen: Is It Too Late to Change My Mind?
The first step in a medical abortion involves taking Mifeprex®, a pill that contains the active ingredient mifepristone. This medication is designed to block the effects of progesterone, a hormone essential for maintaining the pregnancy. In many cases, it is possible to counteract the abortive effect by taking synthetic progesterone. According to Polyclinic Milan, "You have the right to stop the treatment at any time. If you decide to discontinue the treatment after taking mifepristone, there have been no reports of fetal malformations beyond what can occur in any pregnancy."
- 🔄 Informational Page and Links: Abortion Pill Reversal
Or, was a surgical abortion planned, and you have already taken the tablet, often given a few hours before the procedure to soften the cervix? This tablet could also be Mifeprex® or a chemical prostaglandin (such as Cytotec® or MisoOne®, which contain the active ingredient misoprostol).
In any case, it’s crucial to quickly seek out a doctor who is understanding, supportive, and takes you and your concerns seriously!
Abortion Cancellation Fee?
- Typically, you don’t have to pay for an abortion if you cancel the appointment or don’t show up. This also applies to your health insurance if they would have covered the costs. Some regions even have laws against charging cancellation fees.
- However, whether you owe a fee can depend on the specific terms and conditions of the clinic's cancellation policy you may have signed as part of your treatment contract. Therefore, it’s a good idea to review these details. It may have included a request to cancel an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. If you are unsure whether you want to go through with the appointment 24 hours beforehand, it might be wise to cancel the appointment immediately—by phone or, even better, in writing via email, so you have proof of the cancellation.
- A decision as impactful as this may cause you to feel torn, right up to the point of having the procedure. If you feel unsure but are beyond the 24-hour cancelation limit, you still have the freedom to cancel the appointment and not go through with the procedure. Rescheduling for a later date and then canceling may help circumvent a possible fee. Don’t let the receptionist’s response deter you from doing what you feel is right, regardless of potential fees.
- Since this is a significant decision, the clinic or practice should understand your situation. Your choice to cancel is showing responsibility, not rashness. Additionally, the clinic knows that if you caught a cold or the flu at the last minute, you would also have to cancel.
Where Do I Go from Here?
Maybe you are reading this page because you are still trying to make up your mind whether to cancel the appointment or not. Is something making you hesitate and have doubts about the planned abortion? If so, pausing the process and exploring your inclination might be a good idea. Take the time to hear what your heart is telling you, and then make a decision corresponding to your deepest convictions!
You may have already canceled the appointment but are unsure what to do next. Don’t face your worries alone!
Use our free digital counseling services, such as:
- 🧔🏻♂️ How Do I Respond If He Does Not Want the Baby? — Take the Quiz
- 📝What Are My Abortion Pros and Cons? — Multiple-Choice Evaluation
- 🛤 Could an Abortion Affect Me Long-Term? — Take the Quiz
