Marsha’s Place Plays Role in Abortion Pill Reversal Bill

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NIFLA member Marsha’s Place Pregnancy Resource Center in Henderson is one of only two pregnancy centers in Kentucky to offer Abortion Pill Reversal. This life-saving process can reverse the abortive effects of the drug mifepristone, which is administered to women in order to induce medical abortions.

Early medical abortions involve a two-part drug procedure. Mifepristone is administered to the woman first, followed by misoprostol.

Mifepristone’s role is to block progesterone – which the woman’s body naturally produces – from being absorbed by the womb. This causes uterine lining breakdown and cervix loosening. About 48 hours later, misoprostol is administered to induce contractions and expel the fetus and placenta.

But if a woman chooses to try Abortion Pill Reversal before receiving the misoprostol dose, her baby’s life could be saved. This is a huge piece of information that all pregnant mothers considering medical abortions should be aware of in case they have second thoughts.

One woman, Tina, wrote that Abortion Pill Reversal gave her son a second chance. “I quietly made an appointment at a local abortion clinic and received the first of two abortion pills,” she recalled. “I knew it was wrong, but I took it anyway. Instantly, I was filled with regret.”

Thanks to a doctor who was willing to walk her through Abortion Pill Reversal, Tina’s son survived the abortion attempt and was born healthy. This is the kind of work that Marsha’s Place does on a regular basis.

Recently, NIFLA member center Marsha’s Place was able to be a part of a new bill that deals specifically with making Abortion Pill Reversal common knowledge to women.

Members of Marsha’s Place were invited by Senator Robby Mills to attend a House of Representatives Health & Human Services Committee hearing in February to discuss the new bill and how it would impact pregnancy centers and women.

Senator Robby Mills surrounded by Marsha’s Place staff and members.

The bill, Senate Bill 50, will require doctors and clinics to inform patients undergoing medical abortions about Abortion Pill Reversal. It will also increase state reporting requirements, and mandates that any complications related to an abortion be reported to Vital Statistics.

Marsha’s Place members spoke on the direct relationship between the bill and pregnancy resource centers across the state. “The addition of Abortion Pill Reversal to our medical services allows another approach to providing holistic care,” said Cynthia Nunn, nurse manager at Marsha’s Place.

Dr. Donna Harrison, Dr. Tom Green, and Sue Liebel also testified before members of the Committee in favor of more life-affirming options and education for clients.

And on March 26, KY SB 50 was signed into law by Governor Matt Bevin. Marsha’s Place members were overjoyed to be a part of this historic moment in their state legislature.

From left to right: Stephene Druin (Medical Advisory Team); Judy Hall (Administrative Volunteer); Holly Brewer (Education Outreach Director, Volunteer RN and Nurse Sonographer); Betsy Ray (newly retired Client Services Director); Cynthia Nunn (Nurse Manager); Amanda Miller (Development Director); Nikki Tabor (Education and Administrative Volunteer); Vickie Mills (Board Treasurer)

Nunn said that roughly 500 babies had been saved thanks to Abortion Pill Reversal. With this new bill in place, many more lives will likely survive early abortion.

This blog post was written with the help of Cynthia Nunn.

Cynthia Nunn with her husband, Ryan Nunn

Cynthia Nunn, RN, has served as nurse manager and a sonographer at Marsha’s Place since 2014. She has 12 years of experience in Obstetrics, having served as a labor and delivery nurse at Deaconess Women’s Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. Cynthia and her husband of 14 years, Ryan, minister at One Life Church’s Henderson Campus, are certified marriage educators and are passionate about helping couples have a healthy marriage.