AIBU to take the morning after pill?

[kenobi]

I know no-one can make this decision for me but I'd love some advice/thoughts...

I am 35 and ttc. I have been feeling utterly rough with an appalling cough and cold for about 10 days now. But you know how it is, it's been Easter, I have a toddler and I haven't been able to stop. Just to cap it all off I was ovulating so we went for it.

Anyway to cut a long story short I went to the doc's today and I have a serious chest infection. I've been given some very strong antibiotics (co-amoxil?) and been told to take ibuprofen and paracetamol every 4 hours. I've been necking lemsip so good knows how much paracetamol and pseudoephedrine I've had in the last 10 days. I'm really worried that all this might damage the embryo, if indeed I'm pregnant.

Am I being totally precious and this is not a big deal? Or should I just take the morning after pill and not risk the egg/embryo being harmed by all this chemicals?

I have 24 hours to make the decision.

Lady -very reassuring!

Doesn't make sense if you can still use MAP you are not technically pregnant yet and Drugs you have been taking won't effect it IFYSWIM. Dr'r have loads of drugs they can safely give in pregnancy infact penicillin is sake to use its just the tetracyclines that aren't. Nsaid won't effect your baby necessarily but will incrrease your chance of miscarriage.

So my answer would be YABU but its your choice and whatever makes you feel more comfortable, as an aside your MAP may not work because of the Abs.

well, I took the MAP (all be it 12 years ago) and it didn't work, this was within 24 hours of a split condom.

this pg (am currently 23 w) I've had 2 major teeth infections resulting in 2 extractions. it's been a worry, however 500mg of amoxicillian before finding out, and 250gm of amoxicillian at about 17 weeks. (plus co codine paracetomal neurofen) was alternating every 2 hours at one point for 3 days pretty much straight. (althou the neiurofen was only a day) it's a worry yes, however the bubs is swimming a& baking nicely with regular movements heart beats & scans

ref the lemsip - does that not have paracetamol in it or am I mistaking? (if it does then maybe some warm honey & lemon might be better instead?)

fwiw my doctor said to me ref the neurofen that no doctor will tell you it's OK to take, however in the second tri it's the 'safest' to take as everything in essence is developed. a second doctor the next day however told me to stop taking them immediately. I believe it's risky int eh first & third tri's. a friend of mine however had a severe chest infection & another had appendicitus when PG, were on full meds and both of their children are fine. so tbh I think it's your call to make, but i'd ring the doctor and be guided by them.

Bear in mind that one of the reasons so many meds are considered unsafe in pregnancy is NOT because there is evidence to prove it, but because of the lack of evidence that it is definitely safe. It is considered unethical to carry out clinical medical trials on pregnant women, so we cannot test many drugs for safety, therefore doctors have to rely on anecdotal evidence and guess work.

If it were me, I would not worry about it. I trust my body and nature to figure things out. Please don't kill yourself with worry over this.

Also someone mentioned taking paracetamol more than once per four hours is an overdose. Several doctors have told me it's fine to do so ( as I used to suffer from persistent headaches) and really the limit on the package is there to ensure people don't go stupidly over board. As one doc said to me, just don't take the whole packet. They were all happy for me to take it every two hours or so.

magicmelons - yes it's a penicillin ab not tetracycline so that's good to know.

DavidTennant, yes Lemsip has loads of paracetamol, I think I wasn't clear in my post, I was 'necking' it before I went to the doc. Since then I've been taking straight paracetamol.

Transatlantic - yes, that makes sense, like alcohol limits for pregnant women.

I had NO idea the MAP was so ineffective...

The BNF lists the co_amoxiclav as not known to be harmful and since the infection (if bad enough) would be worse for you and any baby it is standard to prescribed antibiotics.

Taking plain paracetamol now is also not known to be harmful and although it is recommended to avoid all medication in early pregnancy it is usually recommended for anyone with a cold other infection or pain.

Just remember the amount of medication that is taken every month by women who don't yet know they are pregnant.

Ibuprofen the biggest risk is in the third trimester, this is what it says in the BNF 'Most manufacturers advise avoiding the use of NSAIDs during pregnancy or avoiding them unless the potential benefit outweighs the risk. NSAIDs should be avoided during the third trimester because use is associated with a risk of closure of fetal ductus arteriosus in utero and possibly persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. In addition, the onset of labour may be delayed and its duration may be increased.' I would say stop ibuprofen but try not an worry about what has already been taken.

If you do get a BFP just explain to the MW or GP what medication has been taken and you can get expert advice individual to you.

The effectiveness of the MAP decreases the longer it is taken after intercourse. Even if taken within 24 hrs it is only 95% effective dropping to 58% after 49hrs

citygirl personally I wouldn't advise people risk that. I have patients manage to overdose with just one extra dose. By overdose I mean go over the treatment threshold. There are so many factors which influence how much paracetamol it would take a person to do damage that I would never happily recommend someone take extra.

the dr told me that you are ok until the embryo has implanted, so for a few days after sex you are ok to have taken meds.

If you're within the time limits for the MAP then you don't need to worry about any over the counter drugs you've had in the meantime.