What’s the Difference Between the Abortion Pill and Plan B?
Some women wonder whether they can use Plan B for an early abortion or if the medication has dangerous side effects that make this inadvisable. While these medications may be similar, Plan B prevents pregnancy, while the abortion pill terminates a pregnancy.
How Does Abortion End a Pregnancy?
Abortion is the termination of a viable pregnancy, and a medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, terminates early pregnancies before 10 weeks. Abortion providers prescribe two drugs in the abortion pill regimen: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, which sustains a pregnancy, and misoprostol causes uterine contractions and expels the pregnancy from the body.
Deciding to take the abortion pill can have significant physical and emotional implications, and complications can occur, including septic shock and incomplete abortion, which occurs when parts of the pregnancy remain in the uterus following the procedure.
There are also risks you should consider that could be minor or severe, depending on the individual woman, including:
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Before having an abortion, women should share their complete health history with a medical provider and have an ultrasound to confirm key pregnancy details and protect their health, including learning where the pregnancy is, whether the pregnancy is viable, and its gestational age.
What Should I Know About Plan B?
Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill, is used to prevent pregnancy. Plan B stops an egg from being released from the ovary and may also stop fertilization. If fertilization occurs, it can prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the womb.
This medication isn’t always successful and isn’t for everyone. You shouldn’t take Plan B if:
- You’re allergic to any component of the morning-after pill
- You’re taking certain medications that can decrease the effectiveness of the morning-after pill
- You are already pregnant, as the effects of the morning-after drug on a developing baby aren’t known
I’d Like More Information on My Options
For more information on your pregnancy options and to learn more about our free and confidential services, including limited ultrasounds, contact us at 859-341-0766, or you can book an appointment.
We’re here to help you get the care you need!
Pregnancy Tests
Your first step is to take a pregnancy test and verify you really are pregnant. Although you may have taken a pregnancy test at home, you will want to follow up with a lab-quality test. New Hope Center’s tests are free and 99.9% accurate, and our staff provides immediate confidential results.
Ultrasounds
If you’ve recently had a positive pregnancy test, the next step is to have an ultrasound. These are offered free of charge at New Hope Center. No matter what you’re considering for your unplanned pregnancy, an ultrasound provides essential information about your body and your health.
Motherhood Classes
New Hope Center offers free parenting resources to women faced with unexpected pregnancies. We know that the number one concern for most parents facing unexpected pregnancy is finances. We hope to provide for some of those needs by offering material support.
Pregnancy Tests
Your first step is to take a pregnancy test and verify you really are pregnant. Although you may have taken a pregnancy test at home, you will want to follow up with a lab-quality test. New Hope Center’s tests are free and 99.9% accurate, and our staff provides immediate confidential results.
Ultrasounds
If you’ve recently had a positive pregnancy test, the next step is to have an ultrasound. These are offered free of charge at New Hope Center. No matter what you’re considering for your unplanned pregnancy, an ultrasound provides essential information about your body and your health.
Motherhood Classes
New Hope Center offers free parenting resources to women faced with unexpected pregnancies. We know that the number one concern for most parents facing unexpected pregnancy is finances. We hope to provide for some of those needs by offering material support.
