What is Plan C—and is it the same as Plan B?

Have you been hearing a lot about Plan C? More and more people are talking about using abortion pills, which are sometimes colloquially referred to as Plan C. 

While Plan C isn’t the actual name of a medication, you can think of medication abortion (aka abortion pills) as a “plan C” for not being pregnant: Abortion pills are a safe, effective, and FDA-approved way to discreetly end a pregnancy through 10 weeks.

So, what’s the deal with the name, is it the same thing as Plan B (aka the emergency contraception pill), and is it the right option for you? Here’s what you need to know.

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Plan B pills vs. Plan C pills

Plan C isn’t the same thing as Plan B, an emergency contraceptive pill, but the term follows the same line of thinking regarding pregnancy options: If “plan A” (some form of birth control) doesn’t prevent pregnancy or isn’t used, “plan B” is emergency contraception. If emergency contraception doesn’t prevent pregnancy or isn’t used, “plan C” could be a medication abortion. 

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What are Plan B pills?

Plan B (formally known as Plan B One-Step) is the brand name of one type of emergency contraceptive. This is just one of several emergency contraception brands you can choose from and even get delivered from Hey Jane. Plan B is an over-the-counter medication that contains levonorgestrel, a hormone used in some types of birth control. Plan B can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected penis-in-vagina sex or after a birth control method fails. Levonorgestrel works by blocking or delaying ovulation; if there is no egg available to be fertilized, pregnancy is prevented.

Plan B can’t cause an abortion; it’s taken before pregnancy can even happen. That’s why it’s often called the “morning-after pill”—although the window of time you can take it extends beyond just the next morning. If taken within three days of unprotected sex, Plan B has an estimated 75-89% overall rate of effectiveness. (Ella, another emergency contraceptive that's available with a prescription, can be taken within five days of unprotected sex.) That said, Plan B becomes less effective at higher weights (above 165 pounds). The copper intrauterine device is a better emergency contraceptive option for people of all weights, but insertion requires a visit to a care provider within five days of unprotected sex.

Side effects after taking Plan B aren’t very common, but your next period may be different in timing and flow. Upset stomach, lightheadedness, dizziness, and tender chests/breasts are also possible.

You can stock up on Plan B or Ella at any time—and Hey Jane's clinical care team recommends keeping some in your medicine cabinet, so you don't need to worry about finding it if or when you have unprotected sex or a birth control method fails.

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What are Plan C pills?

Abortion pills, sometimes referred to as Plan C pills, can be taken in person at a clinic or at home to safely and effectively end a pregnancy. This is called a medication abortion.

There are two different medications that are commonly taken during a medication abortion:

• Mifepristone stops the body from producing progesterone, which in turn ends a pregnancy. 
• Misoprostol causes cramping and bleeding, which helps to pass the pregnancy.

Mifepristone and misoprostol—or misoprostol on its own—can be taken to very safely and effectively terminate an early pregnancy. The combination, which is FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, is up to 98% effective. Getting abortion pills via a virtual clinic like Hey Jane is just as safe and effective as getting them in person. Unlike Plan B, there’s no evidence that abortion pills are less effective as weight increases.

Common symptoms after taking abortion pills include:

• Heavy bleeding (often for around 6-24 hours)
• Intense cramping
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Taking ibuprofen or Extra Strength Tylenol as well as anti-nausea medication can help with symptoms. (FYI: Both are included with Hey Jane treatment.)

Comparing Plan B and Plan C

Plan B

• Safely and effectively prevents pregnancy, but can’t end a pregnancy if the egg has already been fertilized
• 75-89% effective if used within 72 hours of unprotected sex
• Less effective for people of higher weights
• Contains levonorgestrel, a hormone also used in birth control
• Works by blocking ovulation and fertilization

Plan C

• Safely and effectively ends a pregnancy
• Up to 98% effective up to 11 weeks of pregnancy
• Just as effective for people of higher weights
• There are two types of medicines that are taken: mifepristone and misoprostol
• Works by ending the development of a pregnancy and emptying the uterus

How to get Plan C pills

There are many ways to get access to abortion pills in states with fewer restrictions on abortion. People can reach out to their medical provider, make an appointment at a clinic, or get them prescribed online through telemedicine. (Plan C has a guide for people who live in states with abortion restrictions.)

Folks who are in or can get to a state that Hey Jane serves can safely get abortion pills from Hey Jane—a virtual clinic that makes medication abortion more accessible. 

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