Ladies, it’s important to understand the options available to you when facing an unplanned pregnancy.
One common misconception surrounds the difference between Plan B and the abortion pill — read on to understand the important differences between these two medications, how each one works, and when you may consider taking them.
What is Plan B?
Plan B, sometimes referred to as “the morning-after pill,” can be used to prevent a pregnancy from occurring if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It’s essential to note that Plan B is not meant to end a pregnancy but to prevent it from developing in the first place.
How does Plan B prevent a pregnancy?
Plan B uses a three-step process to prevent pregnancy. The medication’s first line of defense is to prevent ovulation from happening so an egg cannot be released. If the egg is released, the medication will prevent it from being fertilized. If the first two lines of defense don’t work in time, the medication will then alter the uterine lining so that the fertilized egg cannot implant in the uterus and develop into a pregnancy. It must be noted that Plan B will not ensure you will not get pregnant, and it does not protect you from STDs.
Are there side effects from Plan B?
If you take Plan B to prevent pregnancy, you may experience side effects, including heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, nausea, tiredness, headaches, and dizziness.
What is the abortion pill?
The abortion pill, also referred to as medical abortion or chemical abortion, ends unwanted pregnancies in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. While Plan B is intended to prevent pregnancy from occurring, the abortion pill terminates pregnancies.
How does the abortion pill work?
The abortion pill process uses two medications, Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Although these medications are usually taken at home, they are powerful and should be treated as such.
Mifepristone is used to cease the body’s natural production of progesterone, which is necessary for the development and growth of a healthy baby. Once the pregnancy has ended due to lack of nutrients, Misoprostol will be used to force the expulsion of the fetus through a painful process of contractions and bleeding.
Will I experience side effects from taking the abortion pill?
Taking the abortion pill will be accompanied by cramping and bleeding as the body expels the fetus and potentially other side effects like exhaustion, nausea, fever and chills, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, and dizziness.
You may also experience more long-term health risks like sepsis, infection, and hemorrhaging. Because these health risks can be serious and potentially fatal, we recommend consulting a medical professional and receiving the necessary pre-abortion screenings before accessing the abortion pill.
What do I need to do before I take the abortion pill?
Before you consider taking the abortion pill, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your local pregnancy center to receive free lab-quality pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing, as well as information on all of your options and the health risks you might face if you choose to take the abortion pill.
Is the abortion pill reversible?
If you change your mind about wanting to terminate your pregnancy, there’s a chance you may be able to reverse the effects of the first dose of medication.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology, “as many as half of women who take only mifepristone continue their pregnancies.” (If the pregnancy does continue, mifepristone isn’t known to cause birth defects, ACOG notes.)
Abortion pill reversal may be possible within 24 to 48 hours of taking Mifepristone. Doctors can prescribe you additional progesterone, which should counteract the effects of Mifepristone and allow the uterus to continue to nurture and grow the pregnancy. You can learn more about abortion pill reversal here.
Are you experiencing an unplanned pregnancy? Schedule your free and confidential appointment today!