Birth control pill as morning after pill, dangerous to fetus

EMT · Newbie Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

I'm quite embarassed because I think I've done something stupid.

I'm 24 years old and have been taking birth control for a few years. two weeks ago, at the end of my period, my husband and I had unprotected sex without thinking about it. (I didn't restart my usual birth control cycle, because I decided for other reasons I wanted to see my gynecologist about changing methods.)

Four days later (about 96 hours after intercourse), I started panicking, and I took two birth control pills; the next morning I took two more. I've use the "morning-after treatment" before, and I'm pretty sure it was simply that: four BC pills taken within 24 hours, but I know it's only supposed to be effective within 72 hours after intercourse.

When I took the pills, I experienced nausea for a day (which I think is normal). Now, two weeks after intercourse--also about two weeks before I should have my period--I'm noticing some brown discharge. Could this be a sign of early pregnancy, or is it more likely because of ovulation? Is this discharge more likely since it's my first cycle without BC in a year?

Also and more importantly, if I am pregnant, would my home-remedy attempt at a morning-after pill have injured the fetus?

Thank you.

famous · Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Arizona

i took the pill also but mine was 24 hours after. i also got the brown discharge as my period. the lady said i will get my period in 2 weeks. i got it in less than a week. i dont know if that was normal or not. the nausaed is a side affect of the morning after pill but it usually doesnt happen. if you are pregnant, the morning after pill has no affect on the fetus. none what so ever. i was also wondering why i got the brown discharge afterwards. i think it might be from the pill because i am not on my period as normally would be. blood. therefore i am not pregnant.

the brown discharge as my period is still unknown.? any help also?

EMT · Newbie Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for the info. The brown discharge has actually become heavier, and now I'm sure I have my period in fact. That makes sense, because it's about two weeks (more like a week and a half) since I took the morning after pill.

Thank you for the reply.

famous · Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Arizona

you are very welcome.

phukengruven · Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 12

Excuse me for this, but "famous," im going to have to strongly disagree with you. Of course the morning after pill has an effect on the fetus, its main roll is to destroy the fetus. The idea of a morning-after pill is based on a theory. Under this theory, if a woman has sexual intercourse and fears she may be pregnant, she can take large doses of birth control pills. If in fact the woman is pregnant when she takes these birth control pills, the high dosage could act to kill her preborn child, a living human being. The only "emergency" in this case is the woman's fear of being pregnant. This pill can irritate the lining of the uterus and if the woman does become pregnant, the human being created will die before he or she can actually attach to the lining of the uterus. In other words, her body rejects the living human embryo, and the child will die. This result is a chemical abortion.

The morning after pill is not a safe pill to take. It can cause nausea, like you have mentioned, vomiting, infertility, tender breasts, and ectopic pregnancy which can be life threatening. Therefor, taking quadrouple the amount of morning pill you are supposed to take within 24 hours is extremely dangerous. Taking one will already "do the deed, " so there is simply no need to put your life in danger any farther.

Princess4cu · Newbie Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

This is for phukengruven. I don't ever write on these things, but your comment made me want to reply. I am a new nurse and recently finished an OB course. When learning about the morning after pill, (which is a strong dose of hormones) if it is taken within the recommended 72 hours, it causes the embryo to not be able to implant to the lining of the uterus. However, if it is taken after 72 hours, it WILL NOT lead to death of the fetus. It actually will promote the pregnancy. You see after the embryo is attached to the lining of the uterus, the female body begans producing an increase in hormones (progesterone and estrogen) needed to nourish and promote the pregnancy. This is exactly what is in the morning after pill. So therefore, it will not harm the pregnancy after 72 hours, but actually may promote the pregnancy.

Now this is not out of my textbook, but out of my recall and my class materials. If you would like to know more, look in a nursing book such as Maternity & Women's Health Care.

Birth control pill as morning after pill, dangerous to fetus

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