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Is Pregnancy Possible Despite Taking Emergency Contraceptive Pill?

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Posted on Mon, 1 Feb 2016
Question: Hi. I have been taking birth control pills for the past three years, and I'm always good at taking the pills on time. However, last Wednesday I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend and the next day I forgot to take my pill on time (at 2pm). Unfortunately it passed a little more than 13hours until I was able to get home and take the pill (I took it at 2:47am). Since I was so scared, I went to the pharmacy the next day, and bought a package of "my way" (the day after pill) and took it at 9:15am. (41 hours after having unprotected sex). I have been taking the pills Normally at 2pm since all this happened and tomorrow I'll start the inactive pills. Do I have any chance to be pregnant although I took the pill 13hours late and My way? Will I still get my period this following week or it would change due to the day after pill? Please help!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Almost nil chance of pregnancy

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
If the interval between the two birth control pills is not more than24 hours, then the effectiveness of the pills is maintained.
You need not worry so much.
However, since you took morning after pill after the unprotected intercourse, it can delay your expected periods by 2-3 weeks.
There are almost nil chances of pregnancy as you have taken the pills within time.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (16 minutes later)
Hello Dr. Deepte XXXXXXX
I believe you misunderstood my explanation. I'm. Sorry I'm still very nervous and I can't explain myself correctly.
I usually take my pills every day at 2pm. However on Thursday last week I forgot to take it and I got home very late (at 2:47 AM). So practically the intervale between the pill from Wednesday and Thursday was 37 hours. I know that from time to time it is OK to be late and take the pill a couple hours late but it doesn't has to be 12 hours later than the time you usually take it every day. But since I didn't took it during that period of time I took the day after pill. I hope I was able to explained it better this time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
almost nil chances of pregnancy

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,Sorry for the late reply, I got stuck in an emergency.
Ok, I have now understood your situation more clearly.
Delay of more than 24 hours in contraceptive pills can lead to failure of contraceptive effect.
However, taking emergency contraceptive pill within 24 hours prevents the pregnancy in 95-98% cases. So, chances of pregnancy are still low in your case.
I will suggest you to wait for the periods, if delayed, then do get a urine pregnancy test .
If negative, then you can safely wait for the periods. Delay in periods in that case is most likely due to hormonal effect of emergency contraceptive pill.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Deepti Verma

OBGYN, Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 5064 Questions

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Is Pregnancy Possible Despite Taking Emergency Contraceptive Pill?

Brief Answer: Almost nil chance of pregnancy Detailed Answer: Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. If the interval between the two birth control pills is not more than24 hours, then the effectiveness of the pills is maintained. You need not worry so much. However, since you took morning after pill after the unprotected intercourse, it can delay your expected periods by 2-3 weeks. There are almost nil chances of pregnancy as you have taken the pills within time. Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries. Wishing you good health. Regards Dr Deepti Verma