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Abortion Pill Reversal

EVEN IF YOU HAVE TAKEN THE ABORTION PILL, YOU CAN STILL CHANGE YOUR MIND.

It is possible to reverse the effects of the first abortion pill medication—known as, mifepristone, Mifeprex or RU-486. This intervention is called abortion pill reversal, and it is possible to stop the abortion from happening.

If you’re having second thoughts after taking the first abortion pill, it is important to act quickly.

While Alternatives does not provide Abortion Pill Reversal, there are two options to get help. 

Bella Health + Wellness303.789.4968
The 24/7 Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline877.558.0333

If you are not located in Colorado, please visit the Abortion Pill Rescue Network for immediate assistance at AbortionPillReversal.com or call 877.558.0333.

Abortion Pill Reversal Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to act quickly. If you want to try to reverse the effects of the abortion pill, the goal is to start the protocol as soon as possible after taking the first dose. However, there have been many successful reversals when treatment was started within 24 – 72 hours after taking the first abortion pill.¹

Even if 72 hours have passed, please give us a call at 303.295.2288. We are here to help, and we want to support you—and it still may not be too late. 

If you are not located in Colorado, please visit the Abortion Pill Reversal Network for immediate assistance at AbortionPillReversal.com.

Do not take the misoprostol (or Cytotec) pills if you want to attempt to continue your pregnancy. Its purpose is to cause the uterus to contract and expel the baby. The misoprostol (Cytotec) is not needed if you want to reverse the chemical abortion.

Initial studies have shown that there is a 64-68% success rate.¹ There is the possibility that the first abortion pill may not successfully terminate the pregnancy if you only take the first abortion pill but choose not to go through the abortion pill reversal (APR) process. However, the APR process has been shown to increase the chances of allowing a pregnancy to continue.

The abortion pill usually references the two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—taken to terminate a pregnancy. This is different from the morning-after pill, which is a type of emergency contraception.

The first pill, mifepristone, is prescribed by a doctor during the first ten weeks of pregnancy and is given at the office visit. This drug blocks the effects of progesterone—a natural hormone that women produce to provide the essential nutrients needed for the baby to develop and thrive. The second drug, misoprostol, is usually taken at home within 48 hours and causes cramping and bleeding in order to empty the uterus. It is still possible to reverse your abortion, even after taking the first abortion pill. We are here to help you, day or night. Call us now: 303.295.2288

The doctor or another medical provider will prescribe progesterone, given as a pill for you to take orally. Additionally, we will perform an ultrasound to confirm the fetal heart rate, location of the pregnancy (to ensure it is in the uterus), and how far along you are in your pregnancy. You will continue the progesterone treatment and ultrasounds through your first trimester of pregnancy. We can also provide you with a referral for ongoing prenatal care.

Progesterone is the natural hormone in a woman’s body that is necessary to nurture and sustain a pregnancy.³ Without progesterone, all pregnancies would end in miscarriage. Since the first abortion medication blocks progesterone’s actions by binding to progesterone receptors in the uterus and the placenta, providing extra progesterone will hopefully outnumber and outcompete the mifepristone in order to restabilize the pregnancy.¹

There has been no increased risk of birth defects noted in women who have only taken the first abortion medication.²

In addition, progesterone—the natural hormone prescribed in the reversal process—has been safely used in pregnancy for nearly 60 years.³ Initial studies have found that the birth defect rate in babies born after the reversal process is less than or equal to the rate in the general population,⁴ meaning that there is not an increase. Neither mifepristone nor progesterone is associated with birth defects.⁵

Many women have experienced cramping or spotting and still go on to have successful reversals. Be sure to let your doctor or medical provider know you are experiencing these symptoms.

If you experience heavy bleeding, faintness, severe abdominal pain or fever, seek emergency medical attention immediately. This could be an effect of the mifepristone and would require immediate care.

Most of the information from this page is taken from the national organization Abortion Pill Rescue. For more information, visit Abortion Pill Reversal at AbortionPillReversal.com.

HOW CAN ALTERNATIVES HELP ME WITH RESOURCES AND SUPPORT?

Our wide network of local organizations and clinics will support your well-being beyond your time with us. 

  • Prenatal and Postnatal Care
  • Support for Male Partners
  • Housing Assistance
  • Employment Resources
  • Medicaid
  • Church Referrals
  • Title IX Student Advocacy

Other References:

1 Abortion Pill Reversal: https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/faq

2 Bernard N, Elefant E, Carlier P, Tebacher M, Barjhoux C, Bos-Thompson M, Amar E, Descotes J, Vial T. Continuation of pregnancy after first-trimester exposure to mifepristone: an observational prospective study. BJOG 2013;120:568–575 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.12147/epdf

3 NaPro textbook: http://www.naprotechnology.com/progesterone

4 Delgado, 2018 Issues in Law and Medicine https://www.heartbeatservices.org/images/pdf/Delgado_et_al__Revisions_-_FINAL_0919.pdf

5 AAPLOG Fact Sheet: https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/AAPLOG-APR-Fact-Sheet.pdf