New Book by Carrie Baker Explores the History and Politics Behind Abortion Pills in the U.S.

In her newly released book Abortion Pills: US History and Politics, Carrie N. Baker, a professor and journalist, offers a thorough examination of the complex history surrounding abortion pills in the United States. The book chronicles the lengthy battle to bring mifepristone and misoprostol into the spotlight—medications that have become essential in the contemporary struggle for reproductive rights.

Starting in the 1960s, as scientists in France and the U.S. began their collaboration on hormone-based treatments to induce pregnancy rejection, Baker reveals a narrative filled with scientific advancements, legal conflicts, and activism. The development of the "unpregnancy pill," which later became known as RU-486, transformed abortion access globally, although it wasn't until 2000 that the FDA granted approval for its use in the United States. Even with its success in 96 countries, there remains significant political resistance to abortion pills in the United States, particularly in the wake of recent legal challenges stemming from the 2022 Dobbs decision.

Baker’s book emphasizes that despite the rising prevalence of pill-based abortions (which accounted for 63% of U.S. abortions in 2023), considerable challenges persist. Even with the progress made in accessibility, she contends that the fight for abortion access is still ongoing, as political opposition persists in influencing the situation.