If you’ve taken the first drug in a medical abortion and are now having second thoughts, you may be wondering if it’s possible to continue your pregnancy. Abortion pill reversal (APR) is a protocol designed to help, and understanding what to expect can give you clarity as you take your next step.

If you are considering abortion pill reversal, it’s critical to act quickly. You can contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Helpline (​​1-877-558-0333) at any time to connect with a provider near you.

How APR Works

The first drug in a medical abortion, mifepristone, blocks progesterone—a hormone your body needs to sustain a pregnancy. APR works by introducing extra progesterone to counteract that effect.

Progesterone can be given in pill form, by injection, or vaginally. This hormone has been safely used for decades in pregnancy care and is often prescribed to women at risk of miscarriage.

What You May Experience

Every woman’s body responds differently, but many continue their pregnancies with no complications after starting APR.

Some women may still experience cramping or bleeding, especially if mifepristone has already begun affecting the body. Because of this, medical follow-up is important to monitor your health throughout the process.

How Effective Is It?

While abortion pill reversal isn’t guaranteed to work in every case, studies have shown encouraging outcomes. Reports indicate that about 64–68% of pregnancies continued when progesterone treatment was started promptly.

When to Start

Timing is very important. APR is most effective when started as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours of taking mifepristone. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the chance of successfully continuing the pregnancy. If you’ve already taken the second drug, misoprostol, APR will not be effective because the process of expelling the pregnancy has begun.

Support and Next Steps

At Women’s Clinics, we offer a safe, confidential place to discuss your situation and connect you with helpful resources.

Contact us today to schedule a free appointment at our location nearest you and explore the care available to you.

Women’s Clinics does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.