January 19, 2021
Plan B and the abortion pill — is there a difference?
Your friends here at Open Arms are here to help break down this important difference and help guide you through the various pregnancy options.
Plan B, also known as “the morning-after pill” is a form of over-the-counter emergency contraception taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex and is used to prevent a pregnancy from happening.
Depending on where you were in your menstrual cycle when unprotected sex occurred, Plan B will use the following three-step process:
Before taking any kind of medication, it’s essential to take time to gather information regarding the side effects and risks you might encounter.
Those who take Plan B might experience the following side effects:
The abortion pill uses medication to end a pregnancy within ten weeks after the last period. The two-drug process utilizes the medications Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
The main difference between the abortion pill and Plan B is that Plan B typically prevents pregnancies while the abortion pill ends pregnancies.
Mifepristone, the first pill in the two-step process, ceases the production of the pregnancy hormone called progesterone. Progesterone provides necessary nutrients to the pregnancy and without it, the pregnancy will end. After the pregnancy has been terminated, Misoprostol will be taken to cause contractions and force the pregnancy from the womb.
Those who take the abortion pill might experience the following side effects:
The abortion pill is also associated with other possible serious risks such as°
If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to remember you’re not alone and you have options.
Open Arms is proud to offer no-cost, confidential pregnancy services including clinical pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and options counseling. We’re here to provide you with information regarding the options available to you, and help guide you through your decision-making process so you can make the choice that’s best for you and your future.
The Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic is a non-profit Community Health Clinic specializing in pregnancy confirmation and helping those facing unintended pregnancy explore their options. We do not provide extended OB/GYN or prenatal care or STD/STI testing or treatment, nor do we perform or refer for abortion services, the abortion pill, emergency contraception, or birth control. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.