Morning After Pill

What is it?

MAP, or Emergency Contraception, is a series of pills that are taken to prevent or abort a pregnancy before it has implanted in the uterus.

What do I do?

• MAP must be taken within 72 hours after intercourse.
• You must take a pregnancy test and receive a negative test result before taking the pills. If a negative test result occurs from the pregnancy test, then you will be instructed to take the first dose of the MAP. Note: a negative result indicates that you are probably not pregnant from intercourse during your previous monthly cycle, but it will not show whether or not you just became pregnant (from intercourse the "night before").
• You will be instructed to take this first dose as soon as possible, but not more than 72 hours after intercourse. You will take a second dose 12 hours after the first dose.

How does it work?
MAP may work in several ways:

1. It may prevent ovulation so no egg is released.
2. It may prevent fertilization so the egg and sperm can not meet.
3. It may prevent implantation so the fertilized egg is unable to attach to the uterus. This is an early abortion.

Are there any side effects?
MAP comes with a few physical side effects including nausea, abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, menstrual changes, dizziness, breast tenderness, and vomiting. Emotional effects of the pill can be limited because you won’t know exactly what happened. Because the pill is taken so early, you won’t be sure whether the baby was ever conceived and aborted.  

Do I have other options?
Contact us to schedule an appointment where a member of our nursing staff will offer you a pregnancy test and additional information on the possibility of an actual pregnancy depending on your cycle. All of our services are free and confidential.