Can we talk about the Morning After Pill (I admit it, I’m panicking...)

[Parentingissotough]

Ok, so, my DH and I haven’t decided if we’ll add to our family. Our DS is 18 months so if we did expand our brood we’ve agreed we would do it soon. However, we had a slip last week and my DH said he’d be more comfortable if I took the morning after pill until we’d had more time to consider it. I was OK with that and took it approximately 24 hours later.

Since then I’ve had increasingly sore boobs, I’m knackered, I keep getting waves of nausea (I was really, really sick with DS). So I guess what I’m asking is, have other people had these issues on the MAP or do I just need to wait and see if I’m pregnant (which seems at least possible at this point given how I feel)?

Any experiences people feel able to share would be great. Thanks for reading.

Normally within 72 hours they are within 80-95% effective but suppose everybody is different. There is a chance you could be but it can mess with cycles. Only way to know is to test, I don't know how accurate a test would be after only a week after sex as it can take over a week for egg to implant and then a few more days for body to produce hgc needed to show positive tests. I think youll be ok but i have no clue, hope you get the answer you want xx

I'm currently in the same boat op! We started 'trying' but the next day I got offered a new job so I took MAP. I'm concerned it hasn't worked; but then again I'm ALWAYS sure I'm pregnant! I took the MAP 36 hours after we dtd but it failed for my sister when she took it within the same time frame. With my ds I got pregnant pretty much straight away so I'm always worried about any slip-ups. When is af due? Mine is next sat: feels like forever to wait!!

Doesn't it work by stopping ovulation or fertilisation or attaching to the uterus? So, if the sperm has already met the egg, fertilised and attached to the uterus then it's too late for the MAP to work, which is why it becomes less effective depending on how long after sex it's taken?

From what I understand the most common type prescribed doesn't help with preventing attaching; so if you've ovulated it's too late.

Oh goodness @prembabymum I am so glad it’s not just me! I can test late next week but like you I’m always convinced I’m pregnant. It just seems soooo long. I feel pregnant atm - sore boobs, random abdo feelings and nauseous - and like you I got preggo month one. Maybe we can form a support group for those in doubt as to their status?!?

I had the same thing back in January. I was absolutely PETRIFIED I was pregnant, it would have been awful, for many many reasons. (And it was a condom breakage, plus I was on the pill but then became ill the next day, before anyone says "if it would be that awful then you should have taken precautions")
I wasn't pregnant. There's a massive dose of hormones in it, so unsurprising it gives you hormonal symptoms.
I'd wait a week or so then take a test. Good luck!

How would it be if you were pregnant? Would things be ok?

That's good @notthenineinchnails it is designed to work so it probably has, I'm just a worrier!

The coil can be used as emergency contraception too.

I thought I was pregnant with similar symptoms after map but period came on time. It's worrying as I think the symptoms of both are very similar. Try not to worry too much I've taken a couple of times and always been successful, you took it within the required time.

Thanks @NoththeNineInchNails and @sprinkleofshine I really appreciate the positive experiences.

@Prembabymum it would be ok. My DH is lovely but physically I am likely to struggle (hyperemesis last time and need a c section next time apparently) so worry about impact on DS. What about you? Would you be OK?

@parentingissotough yeah, that would be tough. If it helps; my friend got pregnant with her second when her ds was 9 months. It was an accident and she was worried how she'd cope as she had to have a c section again and her ds wasn't walking by the time her Dd arrived; but she loves it! She's very glad there was a small gap and she wasn't nearly as sick with her second either.
I think I'd be fine. We would be pretty poor but I feel like that's been the case ever since ds arrived anyway! I think I'm not really ready though; but if it happened I'd cope.

@prembabymum that is tough. I feel like we’ve been poor since DS arrived too - I kind of assumed all parents feel this way but it doesn’t make it any easier. Would your DP be Ok?

I oscillate between total panic and being quietly pleased, rubbing my (fat from too much takeaway) tummy!

Possibly not what you want to hear but I feel pregnant despite taking MAP about 16 hours afterwards. I read up after and if you've ovulated it's too late to prevent it.

It was not great timing, I had a ten month old who didn't sleep and our relationship was just getting back on track... but dd2 is a delight and I wouldn't change a thing. I had no symptoms bar a missed period but I do think they can mess with your hormones though so possibly your symptoms are from that? Good luck z

@anna345 I've read a lot online about map failures. I guess what will be will be!

I meant @AnnaT45 !

Tested today, although I know it's too early, but can you see anything?

I had this last year. Was convinced I was pregnant. Didn’t get a period afterwards for about 3 months. Loads of negative tests. I wasn’t pregnant; it was just the surge of hormones affected me really badly. I never want to take it again!

@prembabymum that looks like two lines to me. Is that what you can see?

Makes me want to do a test too! Eeek

@parentingissotough I'm sure I see 2 as well but my DH isn't convinced. I'll wait and do another in a few days... just need to keep really busy until then! Do one! Post the result!

@prembabymum I took a test. Pretty firm negative with maybe a very very faint shadow. It was a two pack test so going to leave it until end of next week to test but for now looks negative xxx

Any update @prembabymum? I think it’s still early for me to test but my boobs are still sore, I’ve got weird mini cramps (that remind me of when I was pregnant with my DS) and headaches (again, like when I was pregnant with DS). Might do test later anyway - but when I get a negative I just assume it’s wrong because it’s too early. Which it is. Hate this waiting game!

@parentingissohard I took a test today but still looking pretty negative; period due in 4 days. My ds has been v ill so I've been looking after him and not really symptom spotting but it's always at the back of my head of course! When are you due on again?

I meant @parentingissotough!!

Sunday. Trying to wait until Monday to test but will probably end up doing one each day between now and then. Sorry your DS has been poorly. Hope he’s on the mend soon