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Medication abortion vs. Plan B pill: What's the difference?

Reproductive decisions aren’t always simple, but when you have important life decisions to make, you need to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. You’ve likely heard of both the abortion pill and Plan B, but you may not understand the real differences between the two. Alcove Health is here to help.

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The Abortion Pill

The abortion pill, also known as a medication abortion, involves mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for a pregnancy to continue. Misoprostol induces contractions to expel the pregnancy from the uterus.

The abortion pill is typically used within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, and you need to schedule a follow-up appointment with a healthcare provider to ensure the process is complete. Common side effects include cramping, bleeding, nausea, and diarrhea.

Pros
  • It’s a non-invasive home treatment.
  • Very effective if used within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Cons
  • You’ll need a doctor’s follow-up care.
  • Can be emotionally and physically intense.

Plan B

Plan B, or the morning-after pill, relies on a synthetic hormone, levonorgestrel, to prevent pregnancy from taking place, primarily by blocking ovulation. In order to be effective, Plan B must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The longer you wait, the less likely Plan B will be effective. Plan B is available without a prescription. Reported side effects include nausea, fatigue, headache, and dizziness.

Pros
  • No prescription required.
  • Can be taken shortly after intercourse.
Cons
  • The longer you wait, the less likely the treatment will be effective.
  • It won’t work if ovulation has already occurred.

Let Alcove Health Help You Decide

Making the right choices for your reproductive health can be challenging. Here are some of the ways Alcove Health can help:

  • Free, confidential consultations to discuss your options
  • Compassionate support from experienced advocates
  • Pregnancy tests and discussion of next steps
  • Resources and referrals for additional care if needed

Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation with our compassionate advocates.

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Let's Talk About Sex - Alcove Health Women's Clinic - Newport News, VA - Newport News, Virginia

Let’s Talk About Sex

July 6, 2020

It’s everywhere, right? We see it on TV, in magazines, there are even apps for it like Tinder and CasualX. So it’s what everyone does right?

Question. So if we all say “Yes” to sex before marriage does all the guilt, disappointment, diseases, and pregnancies that come with it, disappear? Nope!

So how does sex make YOU feel? Used? Confused? Angry? Lonely?

There is nothing wrong with you! Yes, there may be times you actually enjoy it but does it last? Does he last (erm, not just in the moment but long term) MANY women feel like you, yet most are not honest, not even your friends.

A pep talk . . . As women, we want to feel cared for, loved, and accepted for us being us. Yet let’s be real, most guys just want sex. Not you, but “her”. There I said it.

Biology Lesson 101: Men are made to have a strong sex drive and yes, they think about it A LOT! But news flash – they don’t have to have sex with you because they want it, you have a choice.

You want a relationship, I know, yet sex happens. Phone calls stop, the conversation stops and before you know it, every time you are alone together, things go from zero to sex. Then the inevitable happens. You guys break up. Then you meet someone else and it happens all over again, he meets someone else and it happens all over again . . . see the pattern? Do you want to get off that hamster wheel?

You can.

Girls and Guys have conflicting goals. Ever heard that saying, “Men give love to get sex and women give sex to get love”? It’s true in most cases. Men come and go, but you are stuck with you. Who you are on the inside, your character, self-respect, hopes, and dreams; they all make you, YOU.

When you know who you are, then how you feel about yourself doesn’t depend on the guy you’re with. If you have had many partners, YOU CAN STILL START OVER!

That’s the Good News. Oh but wait, there’s more . . . YOUR FUTURE IS FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD.

You CAN commit to saving yourself for that “special” someone, even marriage. How? I hear you ask, and who does that nowadays, isn’t that old fashioned? Nope. Just Say No to sex and say Yes to:

1. Recognizing that everyone in life makes mistakes, the mature person learns from those mistakes. You can change. Your heart can become whole again.

2. Freedom from unwanted pregnancies and STDs

3. Figure out what makes YOU feel good, things that make you proud.

4. Understand that only you control your body. You owe no guy anything because he took you out. You are worth taking out simply because of who you are on the inside and not what you have to offer. Don’t be surprised if he calls you again to ask you back out – Guys like women who respect themselves and have a voice. Do it, girl! I got your back!

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Prepared To Be A Parent - Alcove Health Women's Clinic - Newport News, VA - Virginia

No One Is Prepared To Be A Parent – And That Is Okay

July 6, 2020

I often speak with women who express sincere concern that they are in no way, shape, or form prepared to be a parent. Perhaps that describes you. Can I just say you’re probably right? Parenting is hard. I’ve been a parent for almost twenty-five years. I wish I could say it gets easier with time.

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