Is It Too Late to Take Morning after Pill 60 Hours after Sex?

Hi,

My bf and I went away for the weekend 16-18 sept, i know this was also my most fertile time, We had two incidents of failed contraception (split condom) on the 16th and again on the 18th. I couldnt get ECP when i was away so was only taken aprox 60 hrs after the first incident.

My period was due today but hasnt shown. I know the window for taking the MAP is 72 hrs, but am now worried that i ovulated and the egg already fertilised and if so how effective is the MAP if this has already occured before taking it ?

I have taken a hpt but it is negative, but on my son i didnt show positive until one week after period was due.

Feefee (33)

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Dear Feefee,

Yes, you are in a bit of risky waters right now. If I were you, I would definitely be sure to take the follow up home pregnancy test a week after your period should have started.

Taking any kind of emergency contraception that late (i.e. 60 hrs or even 72 hrs) is really pushing it. Your highest probability for “success” is when you take Next Choice or Plan B or the I-Pill right away after a condom breaks. As the clock ticks further away from the “incident,” you’re merely increasing your probability for the egg to become fertilized after which it then attaches itself to the wall of your uterus.

Next Choice or Plan B can do the following three things:

1) The pill may stop an egg from being released from the ovary.
2) If an egg has already been released, the pill may stop the sperm from fertilizing the egg.
3) If the egg has already been fertilized, the pill may prevent the fertilized egg from attaching itself to the wall of your uterus.

By taking any kind of emergency contraception that late, we can assume that #1 has already taken place (if it’s the correct time of the month for you). If fertilization occurs (phase #2), it will typically happen within 24 hours of the egg being released (ovulation). So, waiting 60 hours may put us into phase #3, where you’re hoping to beat the fertilized egg (the blastocyst) before it attaches itself to the wall of your uterus. And, here is where your probability for “success” rapidly decreases and where your chances of becoming pregnant drastically increase. The morning after pill may help prevent the fertilized egg from attaching itself to the wall of your uterus; however, if the blastocyst has already attached itself to your uterus wall before you took the pill, then you are out of luck.

The manufacturers of emergency contraception like to say that you can take Plan B or Next Choice up to 72 hours; however, the clock begins ticking the very moment you have sex. Your best bet is to take the pill as quickly as possible to ensure your greatest success.

In your particular instance, since you were away and had no chance of taking E.C. asap, then we can only hope for the best. It all comes down to what the next home pregnancy test results are.

Best luck!

Hannah