While both the abortion pill and Plan B deal with pregnancy, they have very distinct purposes. Plan B is a preventive measure against pregnancy, while the abortion pill is a method to terminate an already established pregnancy.
What Is Plan B?
Plan B, commonly known as the “morning-after pill,” serves as an emergency contraceptive method. Its primary function is to avoid pregnancy following unprotected sex or in cases where other birth control methods fail, like when a condom breaks.
The morning-after pill works by delaying or preventing ovulation. You can get it over-the-counter at a pharmacy or drug store without a prescription.
You can take Plan B up to 72 hours after sex, but its effectiveness reduces over time. You should also be aware it is less effective for women who are overweight.
Plan B cannot terminate an established pregnancy and doesn’t protect against STDs.
What Is The Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill refers to a chemical abortion that consists of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, bleed, and expel the pregnancy.
Typically, you will take mifepristone at your healthcare provider or clinic and then take misoprostol 24-48 hours later at home.
The abortion pill is FDA-approved through the first ten weeks of pregnancy.
What Are My Options?
If it’s been longer than 72 hours since you’ve had sex and you’re concerned you may be pregnant, your first step is to take a pregnancy test. If that’s positive, you’ll then want to follow up with an ultrasound to confirm details of the pregnancy, such as gestational age, location, and viability.
Ivy Women’s Center offers free-of-charge limited ultrasounds. Schedule an appointment with us today. You can also get options counseling as we help you navigate your journey moving forward.