General information only, please contact a medical provider for more information.
Deciding whether or not to terminate your pregnancy is a big decision. If you’re halfway through a medical abortion and have second thoughts, there is a small window where you can potentially reverse the effects of the abortion pill. Keep reading for more details to decide if this is your next step.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill is only prescribed up to 10 weeks (70 days) into your pregnancy. It is a series of two drugs: Mifepristone is the first drug, which acts as an antiprogestin. This means it blocks progesterone, an essential pregnancy hormone, from reaching the pregnancy, and this causes the uterine lining to break down.
After taking mifepristone, the second drug, misoprostol, is taken between 24-48 hours later. This second drug causes contractions similar to labor and forces your uterus to expel the pregnancy tissue.
How Does the Abortion Pill Reversal Work?
Timing is key to its success. Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) can work if only the mifepristone has been taken (NOT the misoprostol), and it’s within a 24-72 hour window (the closer to 24 hours, the greater the chance for success).
When reversing a medical abortion, the process includes increasing the doses of the hormone progesterone to counteract the abortion pill, mifepristone, which blocks the pregnancy from receiving it. Essentially, the idea is to flood your body with progesterone to out-compete mifepristone.
What Are the Risks or Side Effects?
The reversal process is very safe and effective. Natural progesterone has been used by physicians for decades in the treatment of early pregnancies where the mother’s progesterone levels are too low. One study showed that 64% of abortions were able to be reversed when women took the abortion pill reversal, and there was no apparent risk of birth defects or undesired effects.
What If I’m Not Ready to Be a Parent?
Even if you’re considering reversing the medical abortion, you still may find the idea of becoming a parent overwhelming. The good news is that support and resources are available to help you sort through your options.
Here at the Metro Women’s Center, we offer educational resources, options advisers, and space for you to talk about your decision in a confidential environment.
Contact us today for a consultation!