After unprotected sex or a birth control failure, it is easy to hear “Plan B” and “the abortion pill” treated as if they are the same thing. They are not.
One is intended to end an existing pregnancy; the other is intended to reduce the chance of pregnancy before beginning.
Knowing the difference can help you understand how each one works You can also contact Pregnancy Care Center of Rincon for more information and free and confidential support.
How the Abortion Pill(s) Works
The abortion pill, also called medical abortion, is not a form of contraception.
It uses two drugs to end a pregnancy that has already been implanted. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, which the pregnancy needs to continue developing. Misoprostol, taken afterward, causes the uterus to contract and pass the pregnancy through vaginal bleeding and cramping.
There are real risks worth understanding before using the abortion pill. These risks include:
- An incomplete abortion, which means pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus
- Infection
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- An ongoing pregnancy
- An allergic reaction to the drugs
If you take the abortion drugs, seek medical help right away if you soak through two thick pads in an hour, run a fever that lasts more than 24 hours, or still feel pregnant afterward.
The FDA also advises against the abortion pill after 10 weeks of pregnancy.
How Plan B Works
Plan B, sometimes called the morning-after pill, is an emergency contraceptive. It works by attempting to delay or prevent the ovary from releasing an egg.
According to the FDA, current evidence does not support that Plan B affects fertilization or implantation, and it will not end or affect an existing pregnancy. It is recommended that Plan B be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, because it becomes less effective as time passes. If taken as directed, Plan B may be roughly 85% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Side effects can include nausea or vomiting, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, lower abdominal pain, spotting, and a period that comes earlier or later than usual.
However, if your period is more than a week late, it’s important to take a pregnancy test, even if you’ve already taken Plan B.
Start With What You Actually Know
Both options affect your body, and both decisions rest on the same two facts: whether you are truly pregnant and how far along you are.
This is why, if you think you might be pregnant, it’s important to take a pregnancy test before using any emergency contraception or seeking abortion drugs.
If your pregnancy test is positive, a follow-up ultrasound scan can confirm the viability of the pregnancy, that the pregnancy is growing in the right place, and how many weeks along you are.
If the possibility of pregnancy feels difficult to face right now, pause and consider whether you feel prepared for what sexual activity may involve. This includes its physical and emotional effects, its impact on a relationship, and the possibility of pregnancy. Choosing to abstain from sexual intercourse is the only way to avoid pregnancy entirely.
Get the Care You Need
At Pregnancy Care Center of Rincon, care is not just our name; it is what we offer you.
We provide free, confidential pregnancy tests and on-site ultrasound, performed by licensed medical personnel.
Our caring team can confirm your pregnancy, answer your questions, and talk through your options with you at no cost.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment. We’re here for you. your health, so read on to find