What is the Plan C Pill? Understanding the Abortion Pill and How It Differs from Plan B

As a pregnancy clinic serving women and families since 1985, we believe it’s crucial to provide accurate information about pregnancy options. Recently, there’s been increased online discussion about something called a “Plan C Pill”. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore what Plan C is, how it differs from other options, and why we believe there are better alternatives for women facing unplanned pregnancies.

What is Plan C?

“Plan C” isn’t an official medical term. It’s more of a nickname for medication abortion pills. These are pretty different from emergency contraception (aka Plan B), so let’s break it down. 

It’s important to note that Plan C is entirely different from Plan C Medicare, which relates to health insurance coverage options.

Key Points About Plan C:

1. Composition: Plan C typically refers to a combination of two drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol.
2. Purpose: Unlike Plan B (emergency contraception), Plan C is used to end a pregnancy that has already begun ending the life of your baby.
3. Timeframe: These pills are medically approved only up until 10 weeks of pregnancy.
4. Effectiveness: The medication abortion regimen is reported to be up to 98% effective.
5. Administration: Can be taken at home or in a clinical setting, depending on your local and state laws. If taken at home, you will not have the assistance of a medical personal to make sure you are safe.

How Plan C Works:

The Plan C regimen usually involves two steps:

1. Mifepristone: This drug blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for the life of the baby to continue.
2. Misoprostol: Taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone, this drug causes contractions to expel the baby.

Plan C vs. Plan B: Understanding the Difference

Many women confuse Plan C with Plan B, but they serve very different purposes:

Plan B (Emergency Contraception):

• Prevents becoming pregnant after unprotected intercourse
• Contains levonorgestrel, a hormone used in some birth control methods
• Works primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation
• Taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
• Does not terminate an existing pregnancy
• Available over-the-counter without a prescription
• Less effective for women over 165 pounds

Plan C (Medication Abortion):

• Terminates an existing pregnancy
• Uses mifepristone and misoprostol
• Works by ending the development of the baby and emptying the uterus
• Used up to 10 weeks of pregnancy
• Ends a life that has already begun developing
• Requires a prescription or medical supervision
• Effectiveness not impacted by weight

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Plan C

At The Keim Centers, we believe women should be fully informed about potential risks:

1. Physical side effects: 
   1. Heavy bleeding
   2. intense cramping
   3. fever
   4. nausea 
   5. Vomiting
   6. Headaches
   7. dizziness
2. Emotional impact: 
   1. Potential for regret or emotional trauma, possible feelings of guilt or loss, and risk of depression or anxiety.
3. Medical risks: Incomplete abortions, which may require surgical intervention, infection, prolonged heavy bleeding, or allergic reactions to the medications.
4. Long-term considerations: No protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and potential impact on future pregnancies. Psychological impact many have reported living with.

Alternatives to Plan C

We encourage women considering Plan C to explore life-affirming alternatives:

1. Parenting support: Financial assistance, parenting classes, medical instruction
2. Adoption: Open, semi-open, or closed adoption options
3. Community resources: Housing assistance, job training, educational support
4. Support: counseling, peer support groups, and one-on-one mentoring

Our Commitment to Women

The Keim Centers offers free, confidential support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. We know this can be a difficult time and that is why it’s so important that you know you don’t have to navigate this alone. We are here to help. We provide:

• Medical consultations for accurate information on all options
• Pregnancy Testing
• Pregnancy Confirmation by Ultrasound
• 5 different locations in Virginia – Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake

Understanding what Plan C is and how it differs from other options is crucial for making informed decisions. If you’re considering Plan C or any pregnancy option, we encourage you to reach out to our center first. We’re here to provide compassionate support and explore all your options without judgment.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. There is hope and help available. 

Don’t feel pressured to choose Plan C or any other option without fully understanding all your options and implications.

If you are considering taking the Plan C pill or having an abortion consider scheduling a same-day appointment at The Keim Centers today.