APR is a procedure that involves attempting to counter the effects of the first pill in a medication abortion, also known as a chemical abortion. This first pill, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for maintaining a pregnancy. The second pill, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
In some cases, women who have taken the first pill regret their decision and want to continue their pregnancy. This is where the countering process comes in.
The process begins by calling the hotline to be connected to an on-call healthcare professional who will ask some basic questions to see if the procedure is possible. If so, they will be directed to a doctor or medical provider in the area to start treatment.
An ultrasound will be done as soon as possible to confirm heart rate, placement, and dating of the pregnancy. The doctor or medical provider will prescribe progesterone to counteract the effects of mifepristone and help support the pregnancy, given as a pill to be taken orally or vaginally or possibly by intramuscular injection. The treatment will usually continue through the first trimester of pregnancy.
Progesterone is the natural hormone in a woman’s body that is necessary to nurture and sustain a pregnancy. The first pill in the abortion pill regimen blocks progesterone’s actions. By giving extra progesterone, we hope to outnumber and outcompete the first abortion pill in order to counter the effects and provide an opportunity to save the pregnancy.
For some women progesterone may cause sleepiness, lack of energy, lightheadedness, dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort, and headaches. Increased fluid intake might help relieve these symptoms.
"Babies do not kill dreams; only abortion does that."
Leah Darrow
“The idea of abortion as ‘the right to choose’, the choice they’re talking about is that — something so barbaric. They choose this barbarity. There’s a lot of reasons why, and they’re all horrible.”
Rosanna Barr
“As a Church, our responsibility is to surround with love those that might be in a difficult pregnancy and help them choose life.”
Archbishop Joseph Naumann
“In our current situation, we choose to pray for the restoration of respect for the sanctity of all human life which is the most urgent need of our day.”
Knights of Columbus
"Abortion is the worst human rights atrocity in history."
Shawn Carney
These little ones are "tiny human beings deprived of time.”
Dr. Lejeune
“Fetal development is something the abortion industry wants to be hidden from women so that they are unaware of exactly what the abortion is doing — killing their baby.”
Live Action
“Human life is sacred and inviolable in every dimension and condition.”
Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki
“Our waterways continue to be tainted with human remains of babies & traces of these dangerous chemicals (Chemical Abortion Pills)– all while wastewater treatment plants aren’t treating for them!”
Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life
“We are in a battle, one that is not just political, but also spiritual. It’s a fight for the hearts and minds of people.”
Rep. Dr. Ron Bryce, Kansas (R)
