The number of lives saved thanks to the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) has reached a new milestone as the Network continues around the clock to assist women who have begun a chemical abortion, regret their decision and want another chance at life for their child.
At the close of 2020, the eighth year of the APRN, statistics show that more than 2,000 lives have been saved from Abortion Pill Rescue, and that number continues to rise.
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The 24/7 APRN hotline receives roughly 150 calls each month from women seeking more information about reversing their in-progress chemical abortions, said Christa Brown, director of Medical Impact for Heartbeat International, which manages the APRN.
“And we have seen the abortion pill reversal protocol work time after time,” Brown said. “2,000 beautiful babies and thankful mamas... and counting.”
The APRN numbers have grown significantly in the last three years, and after a dip due to fallout from the coronavirus, they are headed up again.
The Abortion Pill Rescue Network offers information, understanding, and hope that it is possible to continue a pregnancy even after taking the first abortion medication, Brown said.
As chemical abortion continues to increase in the U.S. and throughout the world, she said, so do the needs of those in need of the abortion reversal protocol, a safe and effective way to reverse the effects of that first abortion drug.
“No woman should ever be forced to complete an abortion she no longer desires and it's important that women are aware of their options after starting a chemical abortion,” said Brown.
Chemical abortion is a two-pill process.
The first drug, mifepristone (Mifeprex/RU-486), blocks progesterone receptors and reduces progesterone levels in the mom’s blood, destabilizing her pregnancy.
The second drug, misoprostol, is taken a day or so after the first drug to complete the abortion by inducing labor.
The abortion pill reversal protocol is a new application of an FDA-approved progesterone treatment used for decades to stop miscarriages. It involves prescribing progesterone, the natural hormone in a mom’s body necessary to sustain pregnancy, to counteract the first abortion drug. Some have wondered in the midst of pondering APR whether a child whose mother has taken the abortion pill will be a risk for birth defects. Neither Mifepristone nor progesterone are associated with birth defects, and initial studies have found that the birth defect rate in babies born after the APR protocol is less or equal to the rate in the general population.
If a pregnant mom acts quickly after taking the first abortion pill and begins the APR protocol, it may be possible to save her unborn child.
The Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) is made up of approximately 1,000 rescue providers and centers worldwide who facilitate abortion pill reversal. Heartbeat International took over management of the Network in 2018.
Heartbeat International President Jor-El Godsey expressed gratitude for the many individuals throughout the Network who have a hand in serving women through the APRN and to God for allowing the life-saving work to happen.
"More and more lives are being saved and changed through the committed and compassionate outreach of the Abortion Pill Rescue Network," he said. "We commend the whole network and thank the Lord for His blessings and provision in the rescue of those lives."
Godsey applauded all involved in making those life-saving numbers happen.
"Special congratulations to the APR Network team, the provider network that makes it possible,” Godsey said. “And everyone at Heartbeat - because it's taken everyone at Heartbeat to make APRN possible."
Sarah is among the moms who felt pressured to abort, took the abortion pill, experienced regret and then acted to save her child. Her son Isaiah, now two, was the joyous result of a successful abortion pill reversal.
Sarah expressed appreciation for the APRN and Heartbeat because of what this rescue has meant in her life and that of her son.
"Abortion Pill Rescue, through Heartbeat International, is made up of the most caring individuals," Sarah told Pregnancy Help News. "They were a beacon of hope when I was in my darkest hour."
"I sought abortion because I had no support from the father, and feared the judgment of others," Sarah explained. "There was never any judgment(with the APRN), just encouragement and love."
"They really did save my son's life, and mine," said Sarah. "They don't just try and save the baby, they empower their mother as well."
Brown said that it's a privilege for the team of nurses and the Network to serve the women who contact the hotline every single day.
“Our team strives to be a light in what is often a very dark & lonely place - the middle of a chemical abortion,” Brown told Pregnancy Help News.
“Women are left to complete their abortions on their own - often in bedrooms, bathrooms, and dorm rooms with very little support,” she explained. “For those having regret, we are there to listen, answer questions, and offer assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Women in crisis often feel as though abortion is their only choice as they face heavy challenges,” continued Brown. “However, after taking the first medication, many realize they might want to continue their pregnancies and contact us desperate to know if there is still hope.”
“Every day we admire the courage these women have as they stand up and make another choice - a last chance to choose life after they have started a chemical abortion,” she said.
Brown also said it's incredible to imagine that these 2,000 little ones, who were once counted as abortion statistics, are alive today because of the bravery of their moms and the work of those in the Abortion Pill Rescue Network. These children are healthy, growing and reaching milestones as the Network is now in its ninth year of offering assistance to women who are in need of the abortion pill reversal protocol.
Individuals in the APRN enjoy seeing pictures and videos of the child learning to crawl, walk, dance, start school, Brown said, “and become everything God intended them to be in this world. Each of these children was created in the image of God with all the potential that He has placed in them.”
Some APRN client feedback from December 2020 includes:
A woman in her 30s from the UK: The reversal worked for me and I now have a gorgeous 7 week old little girl. Thank you for all of your help and support.
A woman in her late 20s from FL: The baby was born earlier this year. He was adopted by a wonderful family. He was born healthy and beautiful.
A woman in her 30s from Australia: I am set to deliver on monday morning my babygirl. She is healthy and i can't wait to meet her on monday. Thank you soo much for saving my child.
A woman in her 20s from TX: I cannot thank you all enough for hearing my cry for help and getting me in contact with a physician. I have a perfectly healthy 3 month old daughter. She is amazing. More awareness needs to be made regarding the false information given about the abortion pill. There isn’t one thing wrong with my daughter.
A woman in her 20s from MA: The reversal went perfectly and I have a healthy 4 month old boy!! I can’t thank everyone enough who helped me through this process. I’m incredibly happy!!
A woman in her 20s from NY: The both of us are doing really well thank you!! I had a baby girl in November and she is very healthy. Thank you so much for all you’ve done.
A woman in her 20s from MO: I am doing well! He is now 5 weeks old and healthy! Thank you so much!
20 year old client from TX: Happy, thriving and above all else, ALIVE! Thank you for asking and checking in. :) you all saved my son's life.
Brown told Pregnancy Help News, “We celebrate the true heroes of the Abortion Pill Rescue Network who are the 2,000 moms who often stand up to personal criticism and much adversity in order to save the lives of their preborn children.”
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages the Abortion Pill Rescue Network and Pregnancy Help News. This article has been updated to add APRN client testimony.
