Hope Found in Abortion Pill Reversal
Written by Caitlin Drakos, RN,BSN, Director of Medical Services at A Woman’s Place Medical Clinic
Chemical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, is on the rise.
This trend has dramatically increased recently, especially in this post-Roe landscape. As more states adopt stricter abortion laws, pro-abortion advocates work harder to make abortion more available outside of the walls of an abortion clinic. Their solution to restrictions on abortion clinics is chemical abortion, and their tactics to deliver these pills to women include promoting online sales and mobile units that will drive across state lines.
What is Chemical Abortion, exactly?
Chemical abortion is the administration of two pills at two separate times that serve two separate purposes. The first abortion pill, mifepristone, destabilizes the pregnancy by blocking progesterone, which is a necessary hormone to promote fetal development. Nutrients are then cut off from the growing fetus, making it unable to survive. The second pill, misoprostol, is taken 24-48 hours later, and it induces early labor, resulting in abortion of the baby.
Since abortion pills can now be acquired via mail, at-home abortions are increasing rapidly. This reality is terrifying, as it means that each day more and more women are walking through the abortion process apart from a medical provider, and often alone in their own bathroom. The associated risks are also scary; almost 40% of women are ending up in the ER due to a complication with the abortion pill1 (incomplete abortion, ectopic pregnancy, hemorrhaging).
Abortion Pill Reversal
Abortion providers want you to think chemical abortion is a one-way street, but it is not. A woman may begin the chemical abortion process and immediately be filled with regret and fear. There is hope for women who find themselves in this situation. The effects of the abortion pill can be counteracted with a protocol known as Abortion Pill Reversal (APR). A Woman’s Place Medical Clinic is proud to announce that we are certified providers of APR, which involves the administration of progesterone to restabilize the pregnancy that has been destabilized by chemical abortion.
Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone and is especially essential during pregnancy. With Abortion Pill Reversal, our goal is to intercept between the first and second abortion pill by administering the first dose of progesterone immediately. The patient is then provided an initial ultrasound to confirm the viability of the pregnancy. From that point on, our medical staff continues to prescribe progesterone as well as weekly ultrasounds through the twelfth week of pregnancy, at which point the patient is referred to an OBGYN provider for medical care. Through the remainder of her pregnancy, she will have access to classes, support sessions, and counseling services at A Woman’s Place Medical Clinic.
Grace and Hope in the Midst of Crisis
In December, our clinics saw our first mom walk through the APR process. She contacted us after taking the first abortion pill at nine weeks. Our staff walked alongside her week after week, as the pregnancy stabilized, and the baby’s heartbeat strengthened. She watched her baby bounce and wave during her ultrasound appointments, and she will now complete the rest of her pregnancy care with her OBGYN. Join us in prayer that the baby continues to grow and that both mom and baby will stay healthy. Praise God for the miracle of life! Your support will give more babies a second chance.
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If you or someone you know is facing an unplanned pregnancy, please visit awomansplaceclinic.com for more information and to make an appointment online.