How does the abortion pill work?

The abortion pill — also referred to as medication abortion, chemical abortion, RU-486 or a self-managed abortion — is usually used to reference the two medications mifepristone and misoprostol taken to terminate the pregnancy of a developing baby. This is different than 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 taken at home 6-48 hours later and causes cramping and bleeding in order to empty the uterus.

It’s important to know that an abortion can be reversed after taking the first abortion pill.

What about the other pills the abortion clinic gave me?

Do not take these pills if you wish to continue your pregnancy. The second medication is called misoprostol or cytotec. Its purpose is to cause the uterus to contract and expel the baby. The misoprostol/cytotec is not needed if your desire is to reverse the chemical abortion.

What is the treatment to reverse the abortion pill?

The doctor or another medical provider will prescribe progesterone, given as a pill to be taken orally. Additionally, an ultrasound will be done as soon as possible to confirm heart rate, placement, and dating of the pregnancy. The treatment will usually continue through the first trimester of pregnancy.

Why is progesterone used in the reversal?

The abortion pill (mifepristone), blocks your body's progesterone’s actions by binding to progesterone receptors in your uterus and the placenta. Perscribing extra progesterone will counter the effects of the mifepristone (AKA abortion pill) in order to reverse the effects of the abortion pill Progesterone is the natural hormone in a woman’s body that is necessary to nurture and sustain a pregnancy

How does the abortion pill work?

The abortion pill — also referred to as medication abortion, chemical abortion, RU-486 or a self-managed abortion — is usually used to reference the two medications mifepristone and misoprostol taken to terminate the pregnancy of a developing baby. This is different than 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 taken at home 6-48 hours later and causes cramping and bleeding in order to empty the uterus.

It’s important to know that an abortion can be reversed after taking the first abortion pill.

What about the other pills the abortion clinic gave me?

Do not take these pills if you wish to continue your pregnancy.

The second medication is called misoprostol or cytotec. Its purpose is to cause the uterus to contract and expel the baby. The misoprostol/cytotec is not needed if your desire is to reverse the chemical abortion.

What is the treatment to reverse the abortion pill?

The doctor or another medical provider will prescribe progesterone, given as a pill to be taken orally. Additionally, an ultrasound will be done as soon as possible to confirm heart rate, placement, and dating of the pregnancy. The treatment will usually continue through the first trimester of pregnancy.

Why is progesterone used in the reversal?

Since the abortion pill (aka: mifepristone) blocks progesterone’s actions by binding to progesterone receptors in the uterus and the placenta, giving extra progesterone will hopefully outnumber and outcompete the mifepristone in order to reverse the effects of the abortion pill (also known as mifepristone).1 Progesterone is the natural hormone in a woman’s body that is necessary to nurture and sustain a pregnancy.3

What about birth defects? Is my baby going to be OK?

By taking just the first of the abortion pills (a.k.a. mifepristone), studies show that there have been no increased risk of birth defects noted.2

In addition, progesterone, the medication 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

What if I start cramping or spotting after I start the progesterone treatment?

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 Rescue at AbortionPillRescue.com.

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