Plan B is a type of emergency birth control (contraception) that temporarily delays the release of an egg from the ovary, so there’s no egg to meet the sperm. No egg, no fertilization, no pregnancy. 

The abortion pill is a medical abortion, which consists of two medications.

The first medication, mifepristone, stops the embryo from growing and the second medication, misoprostol, expels the pregnancy tissue from the woman’s uterus.

Mifepristone is given first. This blocks progesterone, a hormone essential for a healthy pregnancy. Then this drug cuts off blood supply and nutrients to the developing embryo. Between twenty-four to forty-eight hours later, you will take misoprostol, the second pill. This pill causes the uterus to expel the embryo. In short, misoprostol induces early labor.

An abortion is similar to a miscarriage. Someone who has taken the abortion pill may experience these symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain or cramping

• Bleeding

• Discharge of tissue or fluid

These symptoms may occur for 9-16 days. However, approximately 8% of women may experience bleeding for 30 days or more. If the abortion is not entirely successful, a medication or a surgical abortion is required.

Abortion recovery times vary from woman to woman. Many women who have first trimester abortions and those who do not have any complications say they feel physically normal within a few days. Bleeding can vary from several days to several weeks.

If a woman regrets taking the first abortion pill, doctors can sometimes prescribe progesterone within the first 72 hours of taking the first pill in an attempt to counteract its effects and continue the pregnancy. Contact your healthcare provider or call the 24/7 APR Helpline at 1-877-558-0333.

Yes. The abortion pill is potent, so the FDA requires a physician or certified health professional to prescribe the pill in person after pregnancy verification. When you order the abortion pill online, you skip the pregnancy verification and prescription process, which puts your health at risk.

While you can order the abortion pill online and have it delivered to your house, it’s incredibly risky. 

While searching, you may come across sites that claim to deliver the abortion pill by mail. Oftentimes, these providers are located overseas and the pills they provide are not FDA-approved. The FDA requires the abortion pill to be prescribed and dispensed under the supervision of a qualified physician for your safety. 

Aside from that, it’s crucial to be in touch with a prescribing physician if complications arise. 

You may experience severe abdominal cramping, nausea, and heavy bleeding after taking the abortion pill. You will need a licensed healthcare provider to confirm whether the procedure was successful or if an infection is developing.

The average cost of an abortion in the US in the first trimester is approximately $500. Second-trimester abortions average $1,500. However, abortion costs tend to be higher in states where abortion is more restricted.