to not get the morning after pill?

[Sidalee7]

Argh! Had sex on Saturday and used the withdrawal method. Just checked my dates and I would have been at my most fertile - day 12.
I really, really don't want to get the MAP, I hate the thought of it but I really don't want to be pregnant. Anyone ever got pregnant from withdrawal? I'm in my late 30's.

I've had unprotected sex with my DH for the last 12 years (30s and 40s) and never had one pregnancy scare. That includes lots of sex at my most fertile times. I wouldn't use my experience to justify not doing the right thing as we are obviously not typical and have used ivf twice to have children. Best of luck.

If you don't want to be pregnant, and you want to be as sure as you can, take the MAP and learn from your 'woohoo' mistake. I'm not sure a poll on MN will help you decide.

Unless you, ( and ideally he), want a child then take the MAP.

I was pregnant first time I used withdrawal, (used to use a cap but didn't have it with me. ) Decided to risk it as I actually quite wanted a baby and had been thinking of TTC after a work contract in Korea had finished.

Got pregnant so couldn't go to Korea but it was not bad news. But yeah, first time.

Just to mention your point of you don’t want to pump yourself full of chemicals - they are actually hormones, which you will be pumped full of by your own body when you’re pregnant in order to ruin your cycle so you remain pregnant.

Is it in some part because you're late 30s and are considering having kids?

Oh and took the MAP on two other occasions - different reasons. Never had a problem with it. Just felt huge relief

Used the WM on and off for about 22 years without getting pg. When I mentioned this whilst getting a mirena fitted there was a gentle explanation that I might have fertility issues and might consider a checkup. I have two DC conceived easily when we stopped!

@elspeth12345 no - I have 2 kids but they are not little anymore and I hadn't planned on anymore.
I'm just annoyed at myself for being careless.

I believe but could be wrong that if you have already ovulated it won't work anyway . Seem to remember finding this out online when I ended up pregnant after taking it 🙈

I have 3 DC's due to the withdrawal method

Hope that you feel okay after taking it.

Yup. My DS is the result of this exact scenario last June! I'm delighted to have him but if you don't want a baby then I recommend taking it.

You can get the emergency copper coil up to five days after having unprotected sex. It's very effective.

Re the MAP, I chatted to a pharmacist who told me it was much better now than I had been when I had taken it ten years before. I had no side effects at all when I took it more recently, whereas the first time (like you) it really messed up my cycle.

Please listen to everyone saying that the MAP won't work if you've ovulated. You need a copper coil within 120 hours of having sex for effective emergency contraception post ovulation.

My withdrawal baby is 19 now. My MAP baby is 2. So pregnancy is always a possibility. But obviously MAP will drastically reduce the likelihood and you need advice from a professional ASAP.

So, I have almost certainly ovulated, looking at my dates.
What if I take it and I'm pregnant? Can't this cause birth defects ect?

May I present my child as proof the MAP doesn’t always work anyway (and I took it within 12 hours!)

If you're already pregnant it won't do any harm.

No ones worried about the baby growing in my tummy atm, because I took MAP after a condom came off when - I think - I was most fertile.

MAP made me a little nauseous and moody but nothing near as bad as being pregnant.

If you don’t use contraception there is a chance you will fall pregnant. The withdrawal method is not contraception and therefore there is a chance that you will fall pregnant. If you don’t want a baby either use adequate contraception or don’t have sex.

you have two options: take the MAP or don’t and take a chance on falling pregnant which if you do happen to you will either have to have a baby or have a TOP. Sorry to be blunt but really what is there to consider?!

I know, I know. I am now just wishing I had got it yesterday. I was in denial!

The MAP can prevent implantation even if you have ovulated.

But so can the copper coil, which would be more effective if you have ovulated (not that you can really tell by dates alone, but if you think it's likely and you really don't want to be pregnant then you may as well go for the most effective option).

Is there not a late night pharmacy you could get to?

No, I'm on my own tonight with the kids. I work in central London though, so can do it first thing.

Ah, that's fair enough. I doubt a few hours will make much difference at this point anyway

There are 2 types of MAP with different tings in them. And one is effective up to 5 days after. But if you dont want to use them just take the risk and if it doesn't work out take the abortion pill. Its pretty much the same thing.

The Margaret Pyke centre does walk-in emergency copper coil appointments OP -- it's by Tottenham Court Road / Goodge Street.

Thanks @msmitherofdragons - I'll check it out.
And thanks everyone for the emotional support.