Alyssa Milano recently opened up about her decision to have two abortions in a single year and why she has no regrets about her choices.
During the newest episode of her podcast Alyssa Milano: Sorry Not Sorry, the actress revealed she got pregnant twice in her 20s. Though she revealed it was a difficult decision, the star ultimately chose to abort both pregnancies. "It was not an easy choice," she explained. "It was not something I wanted, but it was something that I needed, like most healthcare is."
The first time she got pregnant, Alyssa said she was a long-term relationship with her then-boyfriend and had also been on birth control. At the same time, however, she didn’t feel ready to be a mother or slow down her career. The actress also said she was worried how her acne medication Accutane could affect the pregnant, since it’s known to cause birth defects.
But she didn’t take the abortion lightly, as her religious background complicated her decision. “It was devastating," Alyssa continued. "I was raised Catholic and was suddenly put in conflict with my faith. A faith I was coming to realize empowered only men to make every single decision about what was allowed and what was not allowed."
Imagine the actress’s surprise when she became pregnant again only a few months after the procedure, despite still being on birth control. Alyssa opted for a second abortion. Nevertheless, Alyssa says she knows she made the right decision, especially since her relationship didn’t stand the test of time. "15 years after that first love had fizzled, my life would be completely lacking all its great joys. I would never had been free to be myself — and that's what this fight is all about: freedom,” she went on.
Nowadays, Alyssa is a mom-of-two. She married Dave Bugliari in 2009 and together they have a son and daughter: 7-year old Milo and 4-year old Elizabeth.
Alyssa’s story is extra important as it raises awareness about the possibility of becoming pregnant while on birth control, which is slim but possible. According to Medical News Today, taking the pill is only 91% effective. The most common reasons that the pill is ineffective include missing a day, not taking the pill at the same time consistently, or not starting a new pack right away. The safest way to avoid pregnancy is to use a contraceptive in addition to condoms.