If you think that you could be pregnant, you are probably trying to figure out your options. You may be wondering how the abortion pill and Plan B are different.
Although the two drugs may often get confused, the abortion pill is used to terminate an existing pregnancy, and Plan B is designed to be used as an emergency birth control option within 72 hours of unprotected sex or when your usual birth control has failed.
Continue reading to understand better how each drug works and the potential risks.
Plan B
Plan B, also commonly known as “the morning-after pill,” prevents pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
Plan B works in one of three ways:
- It prevents an egg from being released from the ovary.
- If an egg has already been released, it stops the egg from being fertilized.
- If fertilization has already occurred, Plan B prevents implantation in the uterine lining.
While Plan B may seem like a simple solution to ensure that you are not pregnant, there are potential side effects, including:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps
The Abortion Pill
The abortion pill is used to terminate an existing pregnancy, meaning the fertilized egg has already been implanted in the uterine lining.
According to the FDA, you should not use the abortion pill after 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The drugs mifepristone and misoprostol work together to end the pregnancy.
Mifepristone first causes the uterine lining to thin and prevents the pregnancy from growing.
Then, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, leading to the expulsion of the pregnancy through the vagina.
As the body passes the pregnancy, you will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Other known risks of the abortion pill include:
- Incomplete abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Get the Support You Need
Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming, but the team at Life Choices is here to support you.
Learning the details of your pregnancy is the first step in discovering more about your options.
Our medical staff can offer you a free lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound scan to provide details about your pregnancy, and we are here to discuss your questions and concerns as you navigate your options.
Let us help empower you to confidently make the best decision about your pregnancy and future.
Contact us today to get the help you deserve.