Critics of Delgado's study argued that the peer-reviewed journal in which it was published is biased, because of its ties to the pro-life organization Watson Bowes Research Institute. Delgado told the Washington Post that he acknowledged this concern, but thought that his study would not get fair consideration from other journals due to political bias.
Delgado also told the Washington Post that he believed more research should be done, but that there should be nothing to stop doctors from using the progesterone protocol in the meantime.
"It hadn't been studied formally in a big way, but we saw it was saving lives and had no alternatives. Were you going to wait when someone was dying in front of you?" he said.
"(T)he science is good enough that, since we have no alternative therapy and we know it's safe, we should go with it," he added.
Chism noted that the Bella clinic has treated several women who have sought abortion pill reversals. The progesterone protocol has been effective in women who have come in as soon as possible after taking the first dose of mifepristone, she said.
"We are currently in the midst of caring for a patient who took the abortion pill. She is 4 weeks and 3 days from taking that first pill. We were able to begin the reversal protocol in less than 24 hours from her initial dose. We did have a few scary days initially with bleeding and threatened loss of pregnancy, but she is now very stable with a normally growing baby," she said.
"I think the fact that we have now over 300 successful reversals is evidence that it works," she added. "This isn't make-believe and it isn't coincidental."
Chism added that it is common practice in medicine to share information about protocols that have yet to undergo even more rigorous prospective studies, if they have been shown to be safe and effective in case studies.
Some critics also argued that the study was unnecessary since only a small percentage of women actually seek and follow through on abortion pill reversals.
"We're not causing harm, and even if the possibility of saving a baby is small, even if the population who desires it is small, is it not worth it to recognize it?" Chism countered. "Isn't it beautiful that there could be a possibility that just maybe could change and help you out when you've made a decision that you've regretted?"
Telling women that a safe and effective protocol exists is a matter of informed consent, Chism added.
"To tell someone that there is (no reversal), that this medical abortion is permanent and irrevocably irreversible, that's not a true statement," she said. "To be able to tell a patient that it may be possible in some circumstances to reverse an abortion pill, I think that is simply informed consent."
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Mary Farrow worked as a staff writer for Catholic News Agency until 2020. She has a degree in journalism and English education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.