As the abortion pill comes to replace surgical procedures as a go-to method for terminating pregnancies in the United States, a group of doctors is focusing its efforts on educational initiatives. Their aim is to inform more women of an alternative option, known as “abortion pill reversal” (APR), which might potentially save their unborn babies’ lives, even after taking the initial drug of the two-drug abortion pill regimen.
APR is a treatment involving the use of progesterone, the hormone that the first drug in the abortion pill regimen attempts to block, thus depriving the fetus of vital nutrients. This same procedure has been used to thwart impending miscarriages since the 1950s and has been used specifically as an abortion pill reversal for 15 years.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), which represents around 7,500 pro-life medical professionals, is using a $100,000 grant from the Heritage Foundation to offer their Abortion Pill Reversal Education and Recruitment project. Despite dissent from abortion proponents, AAPLOG intends to ensure women who use the abortion pill are duly informed about the existence of APR.
Currently, about 1,400 doctors, hospitals, and pregnancy resource centers form part of the APR network. With the launch of the online course on APR for hospitals and doctors set to happen this fall, AAPLOG hopes this number will grow, despite legislative back and forth happening across numerous states.
Advocates contend the treatment has already saved around 5,000 lives and affords women an informed choice other than abortion. As access to abortion pills expands, demand for knowledge about APR options looks set to increase.