Seeking Direction: Hey Jane Experiences

heyJaneExperience

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What to Expect When Using Hey Jane

Experiences with Hey Jane vary from woman to woman because each lived experience is unique. Nonetheless, there are several universal considerations to keep in mind when contemplating using Hey Jane:

Cost vs. Health Risks
Privacy vs Isolation
Efficient vs. Feeling Rushed
Is Hey Jane Right for Me?

Health Risks of Using Hey Jane

Hey Jane mentions the following risk factors involved in utilizing their abortion services:

  • An incomplete abortion would necessitate surgery, which is not covered by Hey Jane.
  • Ectopic pregnancies would be left undiagnosed and untreated since Hey Jane neither provides nor stipulates a prior ultrasound. This could be life-threatening.
  • Doctors cannot confirm the week of pregnancy virtually, which could result in using the abortion medication beyond the 10-week limit. A later abortion has a greater chance of serious complications such as an incomplete abortion or hemorrhaging.
  • A post-abortion checkup is not provided by Hey Jane, leaving a possible incomplete abortion undiagnosed, thus creating the risk of infection and sepsis.

Hey Jane notifies their clients that they are using this service at their own risk. While Hey Jane may be one of the cheapest options, it is not the safest. This for-profit service makes "no representations or warranties about the suitability, reliability, timeliness, or accuracy of the care and treatment provided." Your life is valuable. Your safety matters more than the expense.

For more information, go to Risks and Side Effects of Abortion.

Privacy May Result in Isolation

If you are considering Hey Jane, you probably value their convenience and privacy-centric approach. By having to go through the abortion alone, perhaps even feeling like having to keep it a secret, can create a sense of isolation. This can lead to feelings of uncertainty or anxiety when symptoms are other than expected — stronger than anticipated or deviating from the described norm. Feeling unsure whether further medical care may be necessary would be emotionally stressful. At-home abortions have been described as the loneliest decision one can make.

In retrospect, women mention that they wished they had confided in someone before making their choice. The desire to have a listening ear and unbiased counsel is almost universal, whether having an in-clinic or at-home abortion. Talking to a neutral party may open up a new perspective, unveiling additional options. Perhaps seeking out a doctor or trusted friend would meet this need?

Efficient or Rushed Decisions?

Hey Jane promises a quick turnaround and frequently delivers within a week. The speed of an online service may make you feel rushed while still unsure of what you want. When facing a decision as impactful as this, taking the time you need is vital.

Yet with all the variables involved (computer software, office staff, medical staff, packaging personnel, postal system), it is to be expected that the packages do not always arrive as soon as hoped. This has been the experience of some Hey Jane customers. Delays may push beyond the limit of what is deemed safe.

Wait times, whether long or short, can feel excruciating. These days of waiting can be challenging for multiple reasons:

But even if you are already holding your Hey Jane kit and feel uneasy about it, know that you have the freedom to set it aside. You are always free to reassess what is best for you and use the remaining time within the legal limit as a reflection period. Once your thoughts have calmed down, you will more likely discern a way forward that matches your values and intuitions.

Is Hey Jane Right for Me?

Perhaps you just found out you are pregnant and have come across this page searching for answers. An unexpected pregnancy can pull the rug from under your feet. In an instant, your world is turned upside down while hormones cause your emotions to go haywire. You might feel torn as you consider your hopes and the expectations that are placed on you.
Allow us to navigate this time of uncertainty with you. Your path is as unique as your lived experience. As you discern your next steps, one of our counseling tests could be helpful.

Would you like to go deeper? Take part in our weeklong Decision Coaching sessions. For seven days, you will receive a daily email packed with tips, food for thought, real-life experiences, and quizzes.

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