The abortion pill and Plan B (or morning after pill) are two different medications that do two totally different things.
1. What is the Abortion Pill and What Does it Do?
a. Purpose: Used to end (terminate) an existing pregnancy.
b. How Does the Abortion Pill Work? The abortion pill is a combination of two different medications.
i. Mifepristone: This pill blocks the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone that your body naturally produces to help with the continuation of pregnancy. This pill blocks that which causes the embryo to stop growing.
ii. Misoprostol: This is taken around 24-48 hours after taking Mifepristone. This pill causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo/fetus and pregnancy tissue.
c. How long can you take the abortion pill? Through the 10th week of pregnancy.
d. What are Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?
i. Heavy vaginal bleeding
ii. Severe cramping
iii. Nausea
iv. Weaknesses
v. Vomiting
vi. Dizziness
vii. Diarrhea
In severe cases:
viii. Incomplete abortion (which would require surgical intervention)
ix. Severe infection-fever, chills, aches, foul smelling discharge
x. Heavy bleeding (hemorrhaging that requires medical intervention)
Beyond the physical effects of abortion, what are the emotional and psychological effects that many women experience? Anxiety and depression, along with a number of other issues.
e. Prescription: Needs to be prescribed by a medical professional. Do NOT order online, there is no way to know if you are truly getting the medication you need, we have no idea if it’s the proper dose, and it’s even illegal in our state to receive it by mail.
2. What is Plan B (Morning after pill-Emergency Contraception)?
a. What is the Purpose of Plan B? It is used to prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sex or following contraceptive failure.
b. How Does Plan B Work? Plan B is a medication called Levonorgestrel that is found over the counter. It works in one of three ways:
i. Delaying ovulation by preventing the release of an egg.
ii. Preventing fertilization by not allowing the sperm to reach the egg.
iii. Altering the line of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.
c. When can you take Plan B? Emergency contraception is intended to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It can be taken up to 5 days after but is more effective the sooner that it is taken. If the fertilized egg has already been implanted in the uterus this pill will not be effective.
d. What are the side effects of Plan B?
i. Nausea or vomiting
ii. Fatigue
iii. Headaches or dizziness
iv. Changes in menstrual cycle
v. Cramping or abdominal pain
If you find yourself facing an unplanned pregnancy, please reach out to us at Your Choices Randolph to schedule a FREE and confidential appointment.