---
title: "Plan B Vs. Plan C: What's The Difference?"
description: Plan B or Plan C? Learn the difference & get free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds & care before your abortion in Jackson & Monroeville.
image: https://alphahealthnetwork.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Serene%20Consultation%20Room%20with%20Potted%20Plant%20and%20Nurse.png
---
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# Plan B Vs. Plan C: What's The Difference?
When you're worried about an unexpected pregnancy, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the names and terms you see online.
**Plan B. Plan C. The abortion pill.**
At first glance, they can sound like different versions of the same thing. *But they're not.*
Understanding the difference can help you know what applies to your situation and what steps you may want to take next.
##### **Here's the simplest way to think about it:**
**Plan B is intended to help prevent pregnancy.**
**Plan C is a term commonly used for medication intended to end an existing pregnancy.**
If you're not sure whether you're pregnant or what comes next, you don't have to figure it out alone.
> Alpha offers a [**free, confidential pre-abortion screening**](https://alphahealthnetwork.com/pre-abortion-screenings) in Jackson & Monroeville, Alabama, with pregnancy verification, ultrasounds when appropriate & personalized information about your pregnancy.
## What Is Plan B?
**Plan B is emergency contraception** designed to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, such as a broken condom.
Plan B contains **levonorgestrel**, which primarily works by delaying or preventing ovulation.
Here's the important distinction: **Plan B does not end an existing pregnancy and is not the same as the abortion pill.**
It's intended to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, before pregnancy has been established.
## What Is Plan C?
Unlike Plan B, **Plan C is a term commonly used online for medication abortion, also known as the abortion pill.**
Rather than preventing pregnancy, Plan C is intended to end a pregnancy that has already begun.
Medication abortion typically involves two medications:
- **Mifepristone**, which blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue.
- **Misoprostol**, which causes the uterus to contract and empty.
So while the names may sound similar, **Plan B and Plan C work at very different points.**
## Plan B vs. Plan C
**Plan B helps prevent pregnancy.
Plan C ends an existing pregnancy.**
Plan B contains levonorgestrel and works primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation.
Plan C typically refers to mifepristone and misoprostol, the medications used for an abortion during early pregnancy.
If your period is late after unprotected sex or taking Plan B, **start by finding out whether you're pregnant.**
If you've already had a positive test and you're considering Plan C, there are a few more things about your pregnancy that can be valuable to know before moving forward.
## What If My Period Is Late?
A late period doesn't always mean pregnancy. Stress, illness, hormonal changes, travel, or changes in exercise and weight can all affect your cycle.
**Instead of trying to read every symptom, start with [a pregnancy test](https://alphahealthnetwork.com/free-pregnancy-tests).**
## What If My Test Is Positive?
**It's okay! You have options & we're here to help.**
You don't need to know what you want before making an appointment.
At Alpha, we'll help you understand your pregnancy, talk through your options, and connect you with information and resources available across Southwest Alabama.
Your appointment can help give you a clearer picture of:
- **Your pregnancy** & how far along you may be
- **Your options** & what each could look like
- **Your resources** & the support available to you
## Why Might I Need an Ultrasound?
If you're considering Plan C or the abortion pill, an ultrasound can help provide information about:
- **How far along you are**
- **Where the pregnancy is developing**
- **Whether additional medical evaluation may be needed**
Pregnancy location matters because **the abortion pill does not treat an ectopic pregnancy**, which develops outside the uterus and can become a medical emergency.
**Knowing what's happening in your body beforehand can help you make a safer, more informed next step.**
> Alpha provides [**no-cost ultrasounds**](https://alphahealthnetwork.com/ultrasound) at its Jackson and Monroeville locations to help you learn more about your pregnancy before deciding what comes next.
## Considering Plan C?
If you're already considering the abortion pill, Alpha's [**free pre-abortion screening**](https://alphahealthnetwork.com/pre-abortion-screenings) is designed for this moment.
Your free appointment can include:
- **Free pregnancy testing**
- **A no-cost ultrasound**
- Information about how far along you are
- Personalized information about abortion & your pregnancy
- Private time to ask questions
- Information about additional resources & support available to you
###### **Sources**
1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). *Emergency Contraception.*
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). *Medication Abortion Up to 70 Days of Gestation.*
3. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. *Mifepristone Information.*
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###### Quick Links
- [Jackson Location](https://alphahealthnetwork.com/jackson)
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- [Contact Us](https://alphahealthnetwork.com/contact)
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###### Locations
**Jackson**
6479 Hwy 43 N
Jackson, AL 36545
[**Get Directions**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alpha+Health+Network/@31.5756995,-87.8857059,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x889ac977c42329e7:0x239d41ccac8fe6d8!8m2!3d31.575695!4d-87.883131!16s%2Fg%2F11cn3m1hx7?entry=tts&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcwNy4wIPu8ASoASAFQAw%3D%3D&skid=0da252ea-874e-401a-a322-8c92c232a95f)
**Monroeville**
1530 S Alabama Avenue, Ste #4
Monroeville, AL 36460
[**Get Directions**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AKs3A3KCvKZb5SVA)
###### Here for You
Alpha Women's Resource Center does not offer or refer for pregnancy terminations or birth control. Information is provided as an educational service.
**We do provide the essential services you need before an abortion** with a free, non-judgmental [pre-abortion screening](https://alphahealthnetwork.com/pre-abortion-screenings). We do not profit from any decisions you make.
© 2026 Alpha Women's Resource Center. All Rights Reserved.
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