The Difference between Plan B and the Abortion Pill

Are you considering the abortion pill? Before taking the abortion pill you will need to know exactly how far along you are and if the abortion pill is an option for you.  Make an informed decision by learning about your pregnancy details and potential options.

Reasons You May Not Be Eligible for the Abortion Pill

According to the Mayo Clinic, the abortion pill is not an option if you:

  • Are too far along in your pregnancy. You shouldn’t attempt a medical abortion if you’ve been pregnant for more than ten weeks (after the start of your last period). 
  • Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
  • Have a suspected ectopic pregnancy.
  • Have medical conditions including bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
  • Take a blood thinner or specific steroid medicines.
  • You can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care.
  • Have an allergy to the medicine used.

Unsure if you’re eligible for the abortion pill? Get the facts before making a pregnancy decision. Our team will provide a no-cost pre-abortion screening and answer your pregnancy-related questions.

The Abortion Pill Process

Also known as medical abortion, the abortion pill ends a viable (growing with a detectable heartbeat) pregnancy.  The FDA recommends that only women through 10 weeks of pregnancy use the abortion pill. The abortion pill process consists of a series of two drugs. Mifepristone prevents the pregnancy from receiving progesterone, an essential pregnancy hormone, thus terminating the pregnancy.

Secondly, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina. 

The Mayo Clinic shares possible risks of the abortion pill, including: 

  • Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
  • Heavy and prolonged bleeding
  • Infection
  • Fever
  • Digestive system discomfort

Before you Take the Abortion Pill

You need to confirm how far along you are in determining your options regarding abortion.    An ultrasound will confirm this and detect the pregnancy’s location to determine if you are experiencing any complications.

It’s also important to confirm the pregnancy is in the uterus. A serious pregnancy complication that some women experience is called an ectopic pregnancy. With this complication, the pregnancy grows outside the uterus, which could be life-threatening if not treated right away. 

You cannot have an abortion if you experience an ectopic pregnancy or another complication like miscarriage. Medical treatments are needed to treat these complications.

Learn More

Save yourself money and travel time with our free services.  Get more answers about your pregnancy and your options at our center with a no-cost pre-abortion screening. Our team at Women’s Care Medical Center is here to help answer some of your most pressing pregnancy questions and offer support. 

Schedule an appointment to learn more.

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