Most people have heard of the morning-after pill or the Plan B pill, which is designed to be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex or sex where there is a possibility of unwanted pregnancy. Not as many people, however, have heard about the abortion pill or the Plan C pill. Plan C has been used by millions of people across the world for the past three decades. These abortion pills work best in the first 11 weeks of pregnancy; using Plan Clater in pregnancy will be more painful and less effective. The risk of complications also goes up as the pregnancy grows. One risk associated with the pill is that it may not be effective in ending the pregnancy, especially if it’s taken later in the pregnancy. It’s recommended to take a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after taking Plan C to ensure its success. If the test is positive, you should see your medical provider guarantee that the test is a false positive due to the presence of pregnancy hormones. Another risk associated with the pill is if an individual is having an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the abortion pill will not work and the individual will need medical attention. This is why it’s typically recommended to take a pregnancy test to ensure that your body is healthy and rid of the pregnancy. With these risks in mind, studies still show the Plan C pill to be 98% effective at ending a pregnancy. Also known as "medication abortion," the abortion pill is typically a combination of two medications: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. It involves taking a mifepristone pill first, followed by misoprostol pills 24 to 48 hours later. This is the most effective method of medication abortion. This is the type of abortion with pills is provided by clinics like Planned Parenthood and recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The other type of abortion pill is one that contains only Misoprostol; though this method is less effective, as the World Health Organization endorses the use of misoprostol alone for early abortion when mifepristone is not available.
The goal of these medications is to stop a pregnancy from growing by causing cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus, similar to having a miscarriage. Abortion pills work by blocking the flow of progesterone to the developing pregnancy (mifepristone) and cause the uterus to cramp and expel what’s inside (misoprostol). Most people do not have any symptoms after taking the first pill (mifepristone). Plan C itself is a series of five pills that are typically taken one or two days apart. After taking Plan C, an individual can expect a few hours of heavy bleeding and cramping followed by several days of lighter bleeding. The bleeding and cramping usually start soon after taking the second set of pills (misoprostol). Other common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and fevers. Severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention include bleeding that soaks through more than two maxi sanitary pads per hour for more than two hours in a row, a fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 24 hours, and a fever of more than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit for any length of time.
This method is a very safe process, in fact, it’s been said that the Plan C pill is even safer than taking a Tylenol. Abortion pills have been FDA-approved for the past 20 years. Due to the simplicity of the process, medication abortions are increasing in popularity and are quickly becoming the most common abortion option in the U.S, accounting for 40% of abortions every year. It’s even more common worldwide: in some European countries, up to 90% of abortions are done using pills. Using abortion pills does not require the presence of a doctor, although many people choose the support of a medical professional as they go through this process. The pill does however sometimes require a prescription from a doctor, typically in the US. A person can get a prescription from an abortion clinic like Planned Parenthood, or even through a telemedicine visit with a family doctor. Every state in the US will even mail to pill directly to your front door. Due to its discrete nature, an abortion pill is a safe option for individuals who may not want to go to a clinic like Planned Parenthood to receive a medical abortion. The process of getting an abortion can sometimes be difficult and there are resources available to guide you through your journey. The Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline provides free, confidential medical information and support by phone and text. You can reach out to this hotline if you have any questions or concerns during or after abortion using Plan C.
By Alyssa Morterud