What is the difference between Plan B & Plan C?
This article will explain the differences between Plan B and Plan C. Plan B is designed to prevent pregnancy. Plan C is designed to terminate an existing pregnancy. Let’s take a look at the difference in more detail.
What is Plan B?
Plan B, the “morning after pill”, is a type of emergency contraceptive that you can purchase over the counter at a pharmacy. It is one pill that should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The sooner you take Plan B the better it works. When used as directed, about 7 out of every 8 women who could have gotten pregnant did not become pregnant after taking Plan B. The cost for plan B is around $50.
How Does Plan B WorK?
Plan B can prevent pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries. Pregnancy happens when a sperm cell from the male connects with an egg inside the female reproductive tract. Plan B works by delaying the release of an egg from the ovary. After unprotected sex, sperm can live for up to 5 days inside the female reproductive system. The sperm are eagerly looking for an egg to fertilize, but if the Plan B pill prevents an egg from being released, there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize.
What is the difference between Plan B and birth control?
Birth control is any method, medicine, or device used before sex to prevent a pregnancy. There are different kinds of birth control including oral (pill), condoms, Intrauterine Devices, and Nexplanon (implanted in the arm).
Plan B is different because it’s used as emergency contraception after unprotected sex, such as when a condom breaks, or if you miss your birth control pill. However, it must be taken within 72 hours after sex. It is not meant to be used as a regular form of birth control because it is less effective.
What is Plan C?
Plan C is another term for a medical abortion or abortion pills. It’s a new way of marketing abortion pills. You could think of it like this:
- Plan A might be to use birth control before sex, preventing a pregnancy from occurring.
- Plan B is emergency contraception used after unprotected sex with the hope of preventing pregnancy from occurring.
- Plan C refers to pills taken after pregnancy occurs to end the pregnancy.
The abortion pill (also known as a medication abortion) is two drugs taken in two separate doses. Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, is the first pill. It’s typically taken at the abortion clinic. The second dose, Misoprostol, is usually taken at home. Medical abortion (or Plan C) is available for most people in early pregnancy and can be taken up to 70 days after your last menstrual period. The abortion pill/Plan C can cost anywhere between $400-$800.
How Does Plan C Work?
The most common type of medical abortion or Plan C uses two medicines. Mifepristone is taken first. It blocks the hormone progesterone which thins the lining of the uterus and prevents the embryo from staying implanted and growing. A second medicine, called Misoprostol is taken 1-2 days later. It causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo and pregnancy tissue through the vagina.
A less common (and less effective) form of Plan C (medical abortion) uses only Misoprostol to end the pregnancy.
Can I order Abortion pills online?
Many websites sell abortion pills. You might be able to find them cheaper this way but they will likely be coming from another country and not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Because of this, abortion pills ordered online pose a variety of risks. They might not work effectively and could even lead to severe issues that require immediate medical attention.
Why do I need an ultrasound before Plan C?
Get an ultrasound to check where the pregnancy is located, whether it is viable, and how far along it is. These answers are important because Plan C has restrictions for use. It is not an option if:
- The pregnancy is too far along. Plan C, (abortion pill) is only approved for up to 10 weeks after the start of your last menstrual period.
- The patient has an intrauterine device (IUD).
- The pregnancy is outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
- The patient has a medical condition such as a bleeding disorder; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- The patient takes a blood thinner or certain steroid medication.
- The patient can’t make follow-up visits to their doctor or doesn’t have access to emergency care.
- The patient has an allergy to the medications used.
To protect their health, a patient should have an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill. Jewel Women’s Center offers free ultrasounds to determine viability and the age of the pregnancy. Contact us today for a no-cost appointment.
Need more information?
If you are pregnant and considering abortion, take the time to make an informed, safe, and healthy decision. Make an appointment today to learn more about the different abortion procedures, determine how far along you are, and talk to our licensed medical staff about your questions.