If I take the morning after pill and ovulation has already occurred… will a potential baby be harmed?

[Cigal]

DTD last night, my tracking app says ovulation today so going to try and get morning after pill (not ready for another baby yet. Stupidly didn’t check app before DTD).

I am just worried that if ovulation has happened already, will it harm a potential baby?

That would obviously be worst case scenario so I’d rather go ahead with any potential pregnancy than risk it.

thanks

Surely that's the point of the morning after pill it stops any potential pregnancy developing.

It stops ovulation. So if ovulation has happened then it’s basically too late to stop the pregnancy.

No, it’s just hormones. Same as everyone who gets pregnant on the pill or with a mirena, except much lower dose.

My understanding of the morning after pill is that it stops the implantation of the already fertilised ovum into the wall of the womb - it changes the lining of the wall of the womb to prevent implantation of the fertilised ovum so yes in theory it can.

My understanding is that the MAP stops implantation if there is a fertilised egg there. It can stop ovulation if ovulation hasn’t happened, but it still works even if you’ve ovulated and the egg has been fertilised, as long as it hasn’t implanted yet.

Ring the GP

No so if I’ve already ovulated - it won’t work. It can’t stop an egg being fertilised / implanted. It just stops ovulation… so I’m nervous about any negative implications of taking it and then becoming pregnant after taking it.

Perhaps you'd be better getting advice from actual medical professionals.

MAP won't work if you have already ovulated. You will need the copper coil fitted as emergency contraception

This isn't correct. MAP works by preventing ovulation and preventing fertilisation and preventing the fertilised egg from implanting.

Once the egg has implanted it won't stop the pregnancy.

Suggest you speak to a pharmacist about any concerns you have, but day of ovulation is definitely not too late to take it if you don't want to be pregnant.

If you take it as soon as possible it will probably work because it makes implantation more difficult. I think you should talk to a pharmacist not us though. You should be there already talking to them if you want to avoid pregnancy?

“I’d rather go ahead with any potential pregnancy than risk it.”

What does this mean? Risk what?

I had an ectopic pregnancy 30 years ago before all these ovulation tracking apps. It ruptured the fallopian tube and I had surgery to remove it.
I'll never know for sure but I think the MAP played a part. Those were the days when you had to get a prescription for the MAP so had to wait till Monday if you DTD over the weekend so the delay in taking it could also have contributed.

It won't harm a baby no

MAP prevents fertilisation, and implantation of a fertilised egg. If it doesn't work for whatever reason e.g. the egg has already implanted the baby won't be harmed

Ok so from googling the answer is unclear.

Older sites say the MAP prevents implantation, but newer sites say that it doesn’t - it only prevents ovulation.

It looks very much like this is all being influenced by the recent wave of US anti abortion laws. There is a need to say the MAP doesn’t prevent implantation, so that it doesn’t get categorised as abortion in the strict anti abortion states. Medical evidence is unclear.

It’s also unclear what sort of harm you are worried about. Is it risk of ectopic as pp mentioned?

I think you need to speak to a pharmacist and get some accurate and up to date info.

Your local pharmacy is probably perfect to answer this question and I'd use contraception in future if you're not ready for a baby.

Will def ask the pharmacist when I collect it. I guess I was just wondering if anyone had any experience/ knew anyone who took it, it didn’t work and the baby was fine.

Currently cuddling my 6 week old who was a result of a failed MAP 🥰 confirmed by midwife no harm to baby if taken and does not work x

Thank you!!! And congratulations ❤️ the thought of newborn cuddles almost make me want to not take it 😂

That is very worrying. It is basically contraceptive hormones. Unless something about it has changed, which is unlikely, then it does help prevent implantation because it alters the lining of the uterus. It's a shame that anyone could be scared of taking something safe like this, when they are not ready for another baby yet. OP, I would definitely advise getting off the internet and going to a pharmacy. I would also not rely on tracking apps.

I'm not clear on what you are actually worried about OP.

Do you want a baby or not?

If not, then you need to speak to a medical professional asap and they will advise you on the best option.

If you do want a baby then obviously do not take the morning after pill.

It is indeed concerning if women in the UK can't get complete information on how a necessary medication works because some Americans are religious fanatics. What a depressing state of affairs.

Ring or speak to your local pharmacy. They will know best how it works.

I got pregnant after having taken the MAP. Decided to continue with the pregnancy but it ended in a missed miscarriage at 11 weeks. Not saying the MAP had anything to do with it, and research after finding out I was pregnant all said it shouldn’t have an impact, but that was my experience.

Agree, if true. The NHS does not say how it works which is odd.

I have just found this from BPAS, who are clearly more sensible.

It prevents or delays the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation). It may also affect the lining of the womb so a fertilised egg can’t settle.

If the emergency contraceptive pill fails to prevent pregnancy, there is no evidence that the fetus will be damaged by the pill.

The sooner Levonelle is taken after unprotected sex, the more likely it will work. If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, Levonelle will prevent up to 95% of pregnancies expected to have occurred if emergency contraception had not been used.

Contraception | Emergency contraception | BPAS