There is a major difference between the abortion pill and plan B. While the abortion pill works to terminate an existing pregnancy, plan B works to prevent a pregnancy from developing. Keep reading to learn more.
What is the Abortion Pill?
Also known as medical abortion, the abortion pill consists of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Each drug works together to end a pregnancy that is already implanted within the uterus.
Common risks of this type of abortion procedure consist of the following:
- 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
If a woman experiences the following symptoms, she should seek medical assistance right away:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
What is Plan B?
Plan B is labeled as an emergency contraceptive and works to prevent a pregnancy from forming if a woman has unprotected sex or contraception fails. Plan B is also referred to as the morning-after pill as it’s taken shortly after unprotected sex – typically within 72 hours.
Common side effects of Plan B include the following:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Breast tenderness
- Dizziness
- Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps
If a woman experiences the following symptoms after using Plan B, she should seek emergency treatment:
- Bleeding or spotting that continues for longer than a week
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen 3-5 weeks after taking Plan B
- Some of these symptoms can also mimic signs of an ectopic pregnancy (the embryo growing outside the uterus or in the fallopian tubes), which can be life-threatening.(removing word mimic)
Learn More Today
We can better inform you about abortion and the risks that come with it if you’re considering this pregnancy option. To know your eligibility for abortion and confirm your pregnancy details, receive free lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasound at our clinic.
Schedule an appointment today. You are not alone as you navigate all your pregnancy options.
