Doctor banned from performing ‘abortion pill reversal’ in the UK

UPDATE, 6/17/2021: According to the National Catholic Register, a second doctor is also being investigated for offering ‘abortion pill reversal’. Dr. Eileen Reilly, a member of the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) like Dr. Kearney, has also been made the subject of “Interim Orders Tribunal” hearings, which effectively bans her from practicing ‘abortion pill reversal’. Kearney told the National Catholic Register that he believes it is his duty as a doctor to protect human lives.

“Maybe I was a little naïve in thinking that,” he said. “It may be that some persons in the abortion business do not like doctors speaking publicly about the humanity of the unborn and the need to help mothers in distress who desperately want to save their babies’ lives after they have made a bad choice that they now regret.”

6/2/2021: After a complaint was filed by the United Kingdom’s MSI Reproductive Choices, formerly known as Marie Stopes International, a UK doctor has been banned from helping women save their babies using ‘abortion pill reversal’. The doctor now must face a hearing to be held later this year, according to the Daily Mail.

Dr. Dermot Kearney, a cardiologist and emergency physician, has treated dozens of women who have taken the first dose of the abortion pill regimen and then regretted it. Mifepristone counteracts the naturally-occurring pregnancy hormone progesterone, depriving the baby of nutrients and killing her. When a doctor administers shots of progesterone, the effects of the mifepristone can be prevented. Progesterone has been used to help women prevent miscarriage, and is safe and effective.

However, MSI Reproductive Choices claimed that progesterone is not backed by evidence, despite proof otherwise, that he failed to tell women of any potential risks, and that he imparted his pro-life beliefs on them. After the abortion group complained, a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel ordered Kearney to cease providing treatment. He plans to contest the allegations against him, and is being helped by The Christian Legal Centre.

READ: Abortion pill reversal uses the same hormone used to halt miscarriages, so why do some oppose it?

According to the Daily Mail, three women have come forward in support of Kearney, and will provide evidence for his defense. Laura, using a pseudonym, said, “Without Dr. Kearney’s help, the alternative would have been horrific. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself. I’d be racked with guilt, with the shame of what I did, for the rest of my life. He was so supportive, compassionate and completely non-judgmental — and there was no mention of religion.”

Kearney began offering ‘abortion pill reversal’ in April of 2020 after seeking advice from NHS England, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the General Medical Council. Around the same time, the UK allowed the abortion pill to begin being mailed to women. At least two women have died after taking the abortion pill at home, along with a 28-week old preborn baby. The abortion pill is only approved through 10 weeks.

73 women have turned to Kearney after taking the abortion pill when they were connected to him through American pro-life abortion pill reversal organizations. Kearney told the Daily Mail that 38 of those babies were able to be saved.

Opponents of abortion pill reversal argue that progesterone (a pregnancy hormone) is dangerous for women. A study on the effects of abortion pill reversal was inconclusive, but pro-abortion groups claim progesterone can cause hemorrhaging if taken to stop an abortion. However, Kearney pointed out that women who go through with the abortion pill regimen often complain of hemorrhaging and severe pain.

Laura has since given birth to baby boy Charlie, and said he is only here because of Kearney’s efforts to help her. Another woman helped by Kearney, Rachel, felt she had no choice when she took the abortion pill. “I cried throughout the scan to date my pregnancy,” she said. “No one asked me if I was OK. The doctor was frustrated and angry, and kept saying, ‘Well, are you going to take the pills or not?’ They were robotic.” Under the pressure, she took the first pill, but immediately regretted it. An abortion pill reversal website lead her to Kearney.

“He was so kind and patient, and answered all of our questions over several phone calls that afternoon,” she said. Kearney sent her a consent form, told her about possible side effects, and offered to cover the cost of the progesterone and an ultrasound to check on the baby. Over the next few days, he checked in on her.

According to Abortion Pill Rescue, about 2,000 babies are said to have been saved by ‘abortion pill reversal’ to date, and women have shared their gratitude and joy that they were able to reverse their abortions and save their babies. The abortion industry, however, is working hard to hide this life-saving treatment from women because it doesn’t care about choice at all. Now that the abortion pill accounts for nearly half of all abortions, it’s more important than ever that women are made aware that abortion pill reversal is possible.

Kearney is allowed to continue practicing medicine until his hearing, as long as he does not administer progesterone to women who want to ‘reverse’ their abortions. This unjust decision will leave many women heartbroken, and could result in the tragic and unnecessary deaths of innocent preborn babies.

Editor’s Note: If you have just taken the abortion pill and regret your decision, there may be help available. Visit Abortion Pill Rescue for more information.

Editor’s Note, 7/30/24: This article has been updated to remove references and links to a study that is no longer published at the designated links.

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