Both are prescription medications taken by mouth, but the abortion pill occurs after the pregnancy has started while Plan B, or the Morning-After pill, is taken to prevent the ovary from releasing an egg or from preventing fertilized eggs from implanting in the womb.
How Plan B Works
You must take this pill within 3 days of unprotected sex if you’re trying to prevent pregnancy. If the fertilized egg has already attached it to the uterus, the morning after pill won’t work since it is effective only in preventing or delaying ovulation.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill is a series of two drugs taken once a pregnancy has been verified.
The first pill, mifepristone, is an antiprogesterone, which means it blocks the pregnancy from receiving a vital hormone, progesterone, which stops the pregnancy from growing.
The second, misoprostol, forces the uterus to contract and expel the fetus and pregnancy tissue.
Side Effects of Abortion Pill
Any medical procedure will always pose a type of risk. Here is a list of potential side-effects listed by the Mayo Clinic:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Side Effects of the Plan B Pill:
According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms typically last only a few days, but some of the potential side-effects include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps
What is My Best Option?
Plan B is a way to prevent pregnancy while the abortion pill terminates an existing pregnancy.
However, you’ll want to verify your pregnancy to see what you qualify for. If you believe you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and are still considering your options, we offer no-cost pregnancy tests and ultrasounds where you confirm the status of your pregnancy as well as discuss your potential options.
Every woman deserves a choice and we are here to help you understand and evaluate the resources and options available to you.
Abria offers support at no cost to you regarding your decisions but does not refer for or perform abortions.