The term “Plan C” is being more widely used as a pregnancy option. But what is it? Maybe you know what Plan B is but you’re wondering what Plan C is and when you use it.
Plan C is another name for the abortion pill. Let’s explore how Plan C works and the differences between Plan B and Plan C.
Is Plan B the same as Plan C?
Plan B is not the same as Plan C. Here’s what makes them different:
Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill, is an emergency contraceptive designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Plan B does not end an existing pregnancy.
Plan C, widely known as the abortion pill or medication abortion, is an abortifacient. It ends an existing pregnancy and expels it from the uterus. It does not work to prevent a pregnancy.
What is Plan B and how does it work?
Plan B is an emergency contraceptive taken to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is taken when your regular form of birth control may have failed – such as missing a dose of birth control or a broken condom.
Plan B works by temporarily delaying the release of an egg from the ovary, so that no egg meets sperm for fertilization.
If ovulation has already happened when you take Plan B, there is a chance you will still become pregnant. Plan B will not intended to end or harm an existing pregnancy.
What is Plan C?
The abortion pill typically uses two different medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) to end an established pregnancy up to 10 weeks gestation.
It is important to have a pre-abortion screening before you take the abortion pill. Without confirming how far along you are and if the pregnancy is viable, you can accidentally take the abortion pill past 10 weeks and risk serious complications like an incomplete abortion or an undetected, life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.
At Thrive Savannah we offer free viability ultrasounds to give you the answers you need before scheduling an abortion.
How does Plan C work?
The first medication, mifepristone, blocks progesterone to end the pregnancy. The second medication, misoprostol, causes strong cramping to expel the pregnancy from the uterus. You will experience strong cramping, heaving bleeding, and passing clots up to the size of a lemon.
Read more about how the abortion pill and its side effects and risks in our abortion pill article.
Is it safe for me to order Plan C online?
Most abortion pills or “Plan C” advertised online are not FDA-approved and may lack necessary active ingredients, have incorrect dosage amounts, or contain harmful substances.
Unfortunately, many online pharmacies are unlicensed, operating without the approval of the FDA, and are taking advantage of women who are facing difficult unplanned pregnancy decisions.
Seeing a healthcare provider may seem unnecessary, but it is an important first step to protect you. Any source providing the abortion pill should require an appointment both before and after taking Plan C to properly care for you.
What are the side effects of Plan C?
Common side effects from the abortion pill may include:
- Spotting or bleeding that can last up to a month
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea and digestive pain
- Chills
- Abdominal cramping
- Fever
You should go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of these severe side effects:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row
- Fever that lasts more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Bad pain in your stomach or back
- Chills or body aches
- Fast heart rate
- Incomplete abortion (which may require a surgical procedure to complete)
What do I need to do before taking Plan C?
Before taking Plan C you should have a knowledgeable understanding of your pregnancy. Here are a few questions you should have answers to first:
1. Am I really pregnant?
2. How far along am I?
3. Is my pregnancy viable (alive)?
4. Is my pregnancy growing in my uterus?
5. Do I have any STIs that need to be treated?
These answers help you rule out a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and accidentally taking the abortion pill too far along into your pregnancy and risking an incomplete abortion or infection.
We offer a free pre-abortion screening to give you the necessary information you need to make an educated pregnancy decision.
Need more abortion information?
If you are unexpectedly pregnant and considering abortion, take the time to make an informed, safe decision.
Thrive Savannah offers free medical-grade pregnancy tests, viability ultrasounds, STI testing and treatment, and abortion information to help you get the answers you need to make a decision that is best for you.