By Leah Bosworth/reporter
People should be aware of the options available in preventing an unplanned pregnancy, a guest speaker said Nov. 11 in the Plan B Contraception seminar on NE Campus.
Kathleen Donaldson, director of allied health professionals in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, presented facts to roughly 20 people about what she said is an often misunderstood form of emergency contraception — Plan B.
She explained how emergency contraception works by delaying or preventing ovulation in a female, therefore, preventing fertilization of an egg. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, she said there is a 75 to 85 percent chance of preventing pregnancy.
“Once an embryo is implanted in the endometrium, emergency contraception has no effect on a pregnancy,” she said. “Emergency contraception does not cause an abortion.”
Basically, she said it doesn’t work once a woman has conceived.
In 2006, the FDA approved over-the-counter Plan B contraception for people 17 or older. Those under 17 require a prescription.
Donaldson said that being informed of the facts and purpose of emergency contraception can give both women and men more choices if faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
NE student Huong Tran stumbled on a flier in the library and came to the seminar wanting to know more. She said she did not know anything about Plan B contraception before the seminar.
“I came for my own personal gain,” she said.
Tran said if she faced that obstacle one day, she would certainly consider Plan B contraception now that she is informed.
