Can You Reverse the Abortion Pill? Here’s What You Need to Know
Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) builds back the necessary hormone for pregnancy that is inhibited with the first of two abortion pills. More than 6,000 babies have been born thanks to Abortion Pill Reversal. Read on to learn more about this process.
Overview of Medical Abortion
When a woman decides she wants to terminate a pregnancy, one of her options—if she is less than 12 weeks gestation—is to take medications to end the pregnancy. These are dosed in two pills taken 24-72 hours apart.
The first pill, called mifepristone, is meant to block the progesterone receptors. The progesterone hormone is secreted by the ovary after an egg has been released and conception has occurred. Progesterone is vital for maintaining a pregnancy; without it the pregnancy will end. Thus, if mifepristone blocks progesterone, the pregnancy cannot continue.
The second medication is misoprostol. This medication helps to evacuate the pregnancy, causing bleeding, cramping, and ultimately the woman passing the contents of the uterus.
Approximately 50% are medical, or chemical, abortions. Often medications are obtained online, without a visit to confirm pregnancy, check how far along the pregnancy is, or rule out ectopic pregnancy (a life threatening condition).
What is Abortion Pill Reversal?
Abortion Pill Reversal cannot reverse a completed abortion—the expulsion or surgical removal of a fetus, resulting in its death. Instead, Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) refers to the process of taking high doses of progesterone to offset the effects of the first pill of medical abortion, mifepristone, before the pregnancy is fully terminated.
If a woman takes the first medication and changes her mind, she can call the Abortion Pill Reversal Rescue Network hotline at 1-877-558-0333. A specially trained nurse will answer the phone 24/7, do an intake, and get her connected with the closest prescriber who can prescribe the progesterone for her.
The best results of reversal are within 48 hours of taking the first pill. The more time that lapses, the less successful it is. If the process is started within 24-48 hours after taking the first pill, the success rate is approximately 64%-68%. Progesterone supplementation is safe to take during pregnancy and has not been shown to increase birth defects or preterm birth rates.
Why not just stop after the first pill?
If progesterone is not taken following the first pill, mifepristone will continue to block the receptor sites and eliminate the vital hormone progesterone from maintaining the pregnancy. However, with Abortion Pill Reversal, high doses of progesterone compete with the progesterone receptor sites, flooding the receptors with progesterone and limiting the effects of mifepristone. The progesterone protocol is safe for the woman and the fetus; more than 6,000 babies have been saved with this process.
It’s recommended to have an ultrasound appointment as soon as possible after starting Abortion Pill Reversal to determine the success of the protocol and next steps.
What should I do if I think I’m Pregnant?
We believe that knowledge is power, and being equipped with all the facts is crucial to improving medical care for women. At our clinic, we can confirm your pregnancy with confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing. If you receive a positive test result, our credentialed nurse sonographer can also perform a no-cost ultrasound to tell you how far along your pregnancy is.
Please note that we do not offer or refer for abortions. However, we are committed to providing evidence-based medical education about abortion procedures and risks. We truly care for you and your health. Contact us today to make your confidential appointment to discuss your options.
