The morning after pill, also known as emergency contraception, is a type of medication that can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It works by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) or interfering with implantation (the attachment of a fertilized egg to the lining of the uterus). However, it is not effective if you are already pregnant. In this blog post, we will answer the question: what happens if you take the morning after pill if you are already pregnant?
What Happens If You Take The Morning After Pill If You Are Already Pregnant?
The Morning After Pill Will Not Work If You Are Already Pregnant
The morning after pill is designed to prevent pregnancy before it happens, not to end an existing pregnancy. If you take the morning after pill when you are already pregnant, it will not work. It will not cause an abortion or affect the development of your baby . The morning after pill is different from the abortion pill, which is a medication that can end an early pregnancy within the first 10 weeks.
The Morning After Pill Will Not Harm Your Existing Pregnancy
If you take the morning after pill when you are already pregnant, it will not harm your existing pregnancy. There is no evidence that the morning after pill can cause birth defects, miscarriage, or any other complications for you or your baby . The morning after pill contains hormones that are similar to those in regular birth control pills, which are safe to use during pregnancy .
The Morning After Pill May Cause Some Side Effects Or Changes In Your Menstrual Cycle
If you take the morning after pill when you are already pregnant, you may experience some side effects or changes in your menstrual cycle. These are not signs of harm to your pregnancy, but rather the effects of the hormones in the pill. Some of the possible side effects or changes include:
Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, fatigue, or breast tenderness .
Bleeding or spotting before or after your expected period .
A lighter, heavier, earlier, or later period than usual .
A missed period or a positive pregnancy test .
If you experience any of these side effects or changes, you should contact your health care provider to confirm your pregnancy status and get prenatal care. You should also use another method of contraception until you have your next period or a negative pregnancy test, as the morning after pill does not protect you from future pregnancies.
You Have Options If You Are Already Pregnant And Do Not Want To Continue The Pregnancy
If you take the morning after pill when you are already pregnant and do not want to continue the pregnancy, you have options. You can choose to have an abortion or to place your baby for adoption. These are personal and complex decisions that only you can make, and you should seek support and information from a trusted source, such as your health care provider, a counselor, or a clinic.
Pills to Avoid Pregnancy After 72 Hours
Now that you know what happens if you take the morning after pill if you are already pregnant? Here are some pills to avoid pregnancy after 72 hours.
There are two types of pills that can help you avoid pregnancy after 72 hours of unprotected sex: ulipristal acetate (ella) and levonorgestrel (Plan B and others). Both pills work by delaying or preventing ovulation, but they have different effectiveness and side effects.
Ulipristal acetate (ella) is the most effective type of emergency contraceptive pill. It can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after sex, and it works equally well on any day. You need a prescription to get ella, and it may not work well if you have a high body mass index (BMI).
Levonorgestrel (Plan B and others) is the most common type of emergency contraceptive pill. It can be bought over the counter without a prescription, and it works best if taken within 72 hours (3 days) after sex. The effectiveness of levonorgestrel decreases over time, and it may not work well if you have a high BMI.
Both pills may cause some side effects, such as nausea, headache, bleeding, or changes in your menstrual cycle. They are not meant to be used as regular birth control, and they do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have any questions or concerns about emergency contraception, you should talk to your health care provider or visit a clinic for more information and support.
See also: What is the Best Time to Take Fertomid
Conclusion
To summarize, what happens if you take the morning after pill if you are already pregnant? The morning after pill will not work if you are already pregnant and will not harm your existing pregnancy, but you may experience some side effects or changes in your menstrual cycle.
You also have options if you do not want to continue the pregnancy. To use the morning after pill correctly and effectively, you should take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex, use it only as a backup method of contraception, and check for pregnancy if your period is very delayed.
If you have any questions or concerns about the morning after pill or your pregnancy, you should talk to your health care provider or visit a clinic for more information and support.