If the Morning After Pill Fails, Will It Harm the Baby?

Meta Description: If the morning after pill fails and pregnancy occurs, will it harm the baby? Learn what research says about emergency contraception, pregnancy, birth defects, and what to do next.

Quick Answer

No evidence suggests that the morning after pill harms a developing baby if pregnancy occurs.

Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex. If it fails and pregnancy happens, studies have not shown an increased risk of birth defects or developmental problems.

Introduction

Many people worry after taking emergency contraception.

A common question is:

If the morning after pill fails, will it harm the baby?

The good news is that current research is reassuring.

The morning after pill is an emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. If pregnancy still occurs, studies have not shown that the medication harms a developing baby.

What Happens If the Morning After Pill Fails?

No emergency contraceptive is 100% effective.

Although the morning after pill can help prevent pregnancy, pregnancy may still occur in some situations.

This can happen when:

• The pill is taken too late
• Ovulation has already occurred
• Additional unprotected sex takes place
• The medication is less effective than expected

If pregnancy occurs, many people become concerned about the health of the baby.

Will the Morning After Pill Harm the Baby?

Current evidence suggests the answer is no.

Research has not shown that the morning after pill harms a developing baby when pregnancy occurs.

Healthcare professionals generally reassure patients that accidental exposure to emergency contraception is not known to cause birth defects.

This information can be comforting for people who receive a positive pregnancy test after taking emergency contraception.

Can the Morning After Pill Cause Birth Defects?

Studies have not found an increased risk of birth defects associated with emergency contraception.

Researchers have followed pregnancies that occurred after the morning after pill was taken.

The results have been reassuring.

There is currently no evidence that the medication causes developmental abnormalities.

Which type of morning-after pill did you use?

The type of morning after pill can affect how well it works.

Common options include:

• Levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception
• Ulipristal acetate emergency contraception

Levonorgestrel products are generally most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

Ulipristal acetate may remain effective for up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.

Even when used correctly, no contraceptive pill can guarantee prevention of pregnancy.

Should You Take a Pregnancy Test?

A pregnancy test is recommended if:

• Your period is late
• You experience a delayed period
• You develop pregnancy symptoms
• You are unsure whether the morning after pill worked

Many healthcare professionals recommend testing around three weeks after unprotected sex or after a missed period.

Related Article:

When to Take a Pregnancy Test After the Morning After Pill

What Symptoms Should You Watch For?

Most people experience only mild side effects.

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Changes in the menstrual cycle

Contact a healthcare professional if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Very heavy bleeding
• Fainting
• A positive pregnancy test with unusual symptoms

Does Emergency Contraception Affect an Existing Pregnancy?

No.

Emergency contraception does not end an existing pregnancy.

The morning after pill works before pregnancy becomes established.

This is not the same as an abortion pill.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings about emergency contraceptives.

Can You Have a Healthy Pregnancy After Taking the Morning After Pill?

Yes.

Many people who get pregnant after taking the morning-after pill have healthy pregnancies. They also have healthy babies.

Current evidence does not suggest additional risks to fetal development from accidental exposure to emergency contraception.

Frequently Asked Questions

If the morning after pill fails, will it harm the baby?

Current research suggests it will not harm a developing baby.

Can I have a healthy baby after taking emergency contraception?

Yes. Studies have not shown increased risks of birth defects or developmental problems.

Does a positive pregnancy test mean the baby is at risk?

Not necessarily. A positive pregnancy test does not mean the medication has harmed the pregnancy.

Should I contact a healthcare professional?

Yes. A healthcare professional can provide personalized advice and reassurance.

Can the morning after pill prevent pregnancy every time?

No. Emergency contraceptives reduce the risk of pregnancy but are not 100% effective.

Final Thoughts

Learning that the morning after pill failed can be stressful.

Fortunately, current evidence is reassuring.

Research has not shown that emergency contraception harms a developing baby if pregnancy occurs.

If you have concerns, take a pregnancy test at the appropriate time and speak with a healthcare professional for guidance.

Sometimes emergency contraception does not prevent pregnancy, and this can leave people with an important question: if the morning after pill fails and pregnancy occurs, could it harm the baby?

The good news is that current medical evidence suggests that becoming pregnant after taking the morning after pill does not increase the risk of birth defects or harm a developing baby. While discovering that emergency contraception did not work can be stressful, understanding the facts can provide reassurance during an uncertain time.

How Does the Morning After Pill Work?

The morning after pill is a form of emergency contraception used to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

It works primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation. If ovulation is delayed, fertilization is less likely to occur.

Importantly, emergency contraception is designed to prevent pregnancy before it begins. It does not terminate an existing pregnancy and is not the same as an abortion pill.

Can You Become Pregnant After Taking the Morning After Pill?

Yes.

Although emergency contraception is effective, no method is 100% guaranteed to prevent pregnancy.

Pregnancy may occur if:

• The pill is taken too late
• Ovulation has already occurred
• Certain medications reduce effectiveness
• Individual factors affect how the medication works

This is why healthcare professionals recommend taking emergency contraception as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

Will the Morning After Pill Harm the Baby?

Current research indicates that if pregnancy occurs despite taking the morning after pill, the medication is not known to harm the developing baby.

Studies have not shown an increased risk of:

• Birth defects
• Developmental abnormalities
• Pregnancy complications caused directly by emergency contraception

Many people who become pregnant after taking emergency contraception go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

Why Do People Worry About This?

It is common to assume that because the medication affects hormones, it might affect a pregnancy.

However, emergency contraception works before pregnancy becomes established. If it does not prevent pregnancy, there is no evidence that the medication damages the embryo or fetus.

This distinction is important and often misunderstood.

What Should You Do If You Get a Positive Pregnancy Test?

If you receive a positive pregnancy test after taking the morning after pill:

1. Confirm the result with another test if needed.
2. Schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional.
3. Discuss any questions or concerns about the pregnancy.
4. Begin prenatal care if you plan to continue the pregnancy.

Early medical guidance can help ensure the healthiest possible outcome.

Are There Any Risks to Watch For?

While emergency contraception itself is not known to harm a baby, any pregnancy should be monitored appropriately.

Contact a healthcare professional if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Dizziness
• Unusual symptoms

These symptoms may require medical evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can emergency contraception cause birth defects?

Current evidence does not show that emergency contraception causes birth defects.

Does the morning after pill affect a developing fetus?

Research has not found evidence that it harms a developing fetus when pregnancy occurs despite taking the medication.

Can I have a healthy pregnancy after taking the morning after pill?

Yes. Many people go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

Should I be worried if I took the pill and later found out I was pregnant?

Most healthcare professionals would reassure you that emergency contraception is not known to harm an established pregnancy.

What Medical Experts Say

Medical experts generally agree that the morning after pill is intended to prevent pregnancy, not affect an existing one. If pregnancy occurs despite taking emergency contraception, there is no evidence that the medication will harm the baby.

This can provide significant reassurance to anyone who discovers they are pregnant after using emergency contraception.

Final Thoughts

Finding out that the morning after pill did not prevent pregnancy can be emotional and unexpected. However, one reassuring fact remains: current evidence suggests that emergency contraception does not harm a developing baby if pregnancy occurs.

If you receive a positive pregnancy test, focus on obtaining accurate information, speaking with a healthcare professional, and considering your next steps with confidence.

Related Articles

• Pregnant After Taking the Morning After Pill: How Can It Happen?
• Has the Morning After Pill Worked? Signs, Symptoms & What to Know
• When to Take a Pregnancy Test After the Morning After Pill
• Does the Morning After Pill Affect Your Period?

Further Reading

For additional information about emergency contraception, visit the Mayo Clinic Emergency Contraception Guide