“Abortion pill” is the common name for using two different medicines to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. The patient is instructed to take the first medication, mifepristone, and then take a second set of pills called misoprostol —usually taken at home—that cause the body to expel the baby.

The first medication must be taken in the early weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from growing. The pregnancy dies and then the second medication causes cramping and bleeding to expel the baby.

Before taking the second set of pills, many women experience regret and remorse. Many have asked if the procedure can be stopped or reversed so that she can have more time to think about her options.