If you took the first abortion pill (mifepristone) and are now unsure whether you want to continue the abortion, you're not alone. It’s totally okay to have complicated feelings come up, and there are nonjudgmental resources to support you.

Can my pregnancy continue after taking mifepristone?

Yes – there is a risk of miscarriage after taking mifepristone, but people can go on to have healthy pregnancies. Mifepristone is not known to cause birth defects. Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone, a hormone that helps support pregnancy, but taking mifepristone alone does not always end a pregnancy on its own. For a complete abortion mifepristone needs to be followed by misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.

How often a pregnancy continues after taking only mifepristone has not been well studied. Because of that, no doctor, clinic, hotline, or website can predict what will happen in an individual pregnancy.

Should I take progesterone to "reverse" the abortion pill?

There is no reliable evidence that taking progesterone (sometimes referred to as “abortion pill reversal” by anti-abortion organizations) after mifepristone increases the chance that a pregnancy will continue.

A randomized study was stopped early after several participants experienced severe bleeding after taking mifepristone. Because the study ended early, researchers couldn't determine whether progesterone was effective.

Even though this treatment has not been shown to reliably reverse the effects of mifepristone, many anti-abortion organizations and fake clinics continue to promote it. Organizations promoting it often try to pressure people out of having an abortion.

What should I do now?

Be kind to yourself

Changing your mind or having complicated feelings is part of being human.

Whether your feelings changed because of new information, pressure from others, changing circumstances, or something you can't quite explain, you don't deserve shame. This can be an emotionally difficult situation, and it's okay to have questions or for it to feel heavy.

Confidential, unbiased support is available

Unfortunately, no one can tell you exactly what will happen next. But you don't have to navigate it alone. If you need someone to talk through your options or what to expect we recommend reaching out these trusted parters:

M+A Hotline
https://mahotline.org | Call or text 1-833-246-2632
Medical support from clinicians who can help you understand symptoms, decide if you need emergency care, and may be able to refer you to a local provider.

Reprocare
https://reprocare.com | Call or text 1-833-226-7821
Medical support from experienced peer counselors who provide information and support after abortion or miscarriage. They can help you understand symptoms, talk through concerns, and decide when and where to seek in-person care.

Aya Contigo
https://hola.ayacontigo.org | Chat online or use the Aya Contigo app
Private virtual support from trained peer counselors who can guide you through an abortion with pills, answer questions, and connect you with trusted local resources.

And if you have questions about your rights, privacy, or legal risk, confidential legal help is available:

Repro Legal Helpline
https://reprolegalhelpline.org | 844-868-2812
Free, confidential legal information from lawyers who specialize in reproductive health law.

You can contact them before or after seeking medical care.

Frequently asked questions