"To err is human, to forgive is divine."
Despite best efforts, accidents can happen. In this case, we are talking about unprotected sexual intercourse and the possibility of undesired pregnancy. This could involve teens and young singles, and also married couples who do not yet want to have children or do not want to have more children.
Medication is available that can really lower the likelihood of pregnancy occurring in this event. Higher than normal doses of birth control pills can prevent a fertilized egg from becoming a fetus.
Specifically, these medications can keep an egg (or ovum) which has been fertilized by sperm from being able to implant (stick to) the inside of the uterus, and hence from eventually going on to become a fetus.
Mind you, if you feel or believe that preventing a fertilized egg from sticking to the inside of your uterus (womb) would be something that you feel wrong in doing then by all means do not do so. However, most people who feel strongly about "right to life" issues do not define this as abortion.
Plan B is the brand name of a medication you can buy over-the-counter, and use in case of emergency. It can cost about $45.
It is important to realize that time is of the essence in such a situation as missed birth control pills, condom rupture or unprotected sex. If Plan B is taken within 12 hours, it has a 95% chance of preventing undesired pregnancy. By 2 and 1/2 days later, the chance falls to 72%. Sooner is definitely better! It is probably best to simply buy some and have it ready to use if you ever need it. Twelve hours can go by very quickly when stores are closed on a weekend night.
Plan B was actually based on the known doses of birth control pills needed to prevent undesired pregnancy. It is simply packaged in a form that is easy to use.
This link from Princeton University provides useful guidance in how to use 19 different commonly used birth control pills as emergency contraception.
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