Changing your mind after taking the first abortion pill can bring a lot of questions. Is it too late? Does abortion pill reversal actually work? How quickly do you need to act?
Abortion pill reversal (APR) is intended for women who have taken the first drug used in a medical abortion, mifepristone.
If you’ve taken mifepristone and now want to continue your pregnancy, acting quickly is important. Contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Network Helpline at 1-877-558-0333 as soon as possible.
Why Is Progesterone Used?
To understand abortion pill reversal, it helps first to understand what mifepristone does.
Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone, a hormone needed to sustain a pregnancy. Without progesterone, the uterine lining begins to break down, preventing the pregnancy from continuing.
Misoprostol, the second drug used during a medical abortion, is taken afterward and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
Abortion pill reversal involves giving progesterone after mifepristone in an effort to counteract its effects.
So, How Effective Is Abortion Pill Reversal?
APR does not guarantee that a pregnancy will continue.
However, a study examining the use of progesterone following mifepristone reported reversal rates of approximately 64–68%.
The same research found no apparent increased risk of birth defects beyond what would typically be expected in the general population. Progesterone has been used for over 50 years to support pregnancies in various cases, including when there is a risk of miscarriage.
Because every situation is different, you should speak with a medical professional rather than assuming what happened for someone else will necessarily be your experience.
Does Timing Make a Difference?
Yes. If you want to try to continue your pregnancy, reaching out as soon as possible is important.
Abortion pill reversal is most effective when started shortly after taking mifepristone, ideally within the first 24–48 hours. However, there may still be an opportunity to begin APR after more time has passed.
This is one situation where it’s better to make the call and find out rather than assume it’s too late.
What if I’ve Already Taken Mifepristone?
If you’ve taken mifepristone and now regret your decision or simply aren’t sure you want to continue with the medical abortion, reach out for help immediately.
You can contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Network 24/7 Helpline at 1-877-558-0333. They can connect you with a medical provider who offers abortion pill reversal.
You may feel overwhelmed by changing your mind after you’ve already started the process. You don’t need to spend valuable time trying to answer every question on your own. If continuing your pregnancy is what you want, reaching out promptly can help you determine your next steps.
And if you’re still weighing your pregnancy options, schedule a free, confidential appointment with Sumter Pregnancy Center. We’ll make sure your questions are answered, and you feel supported.
Sumter Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.