It is generally considered safe to take the morning after pill while breastfeeding, as it does not have harmful effects on the breast milk or the baby. However, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to discuss any potential risks or concerns.
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It is generally considered safe to take the morning after pill while breastfeeding, as it does not have harmful effects on the breast milk or the baby. However, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to discuss any potential risks or concerns.
Taking the morning after pill, also known as emergency contraception, while breastfeeding is generally safe due to the low levels of hormones it contains. The hormones in the pill, such as levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate, are not known to have any adverse effects on breast milk production or the health of the nursing baby.
A famous resource, Mayo Clinic, states that “the morning-after pill doesn’t affect the composition of breast milk or the health of a breastfeeding child.” This further supports the safety of using emergency contraception while breastfeeding.
Interesting facts on the topic of the morning after pill and breastfeeding:
- Emergency contraception is not the same as an abortion pill, as it does not terminate an existing pregnancy but prevents pregnancy from occurring.
- The effectiveness of the morning after pill decreases with time. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.
- The morning after pill is available over-the-counter in many countries, making it easily accessible for those who need it.
- Breastfeeding itself can act as a form of natural contraception, although it is not a reliable method. This is because breastfeeding can suppress ovulation and reduce the chances of pregnancy, especially if specific conditions for lactational amenorrhea are met.
- Some common side effects of the morning after pill may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and irregular menstrual bleeding, but they generally resolve within a few days.
Table on the safety of taking the morning after pill while breastfeeding:
| Safety of taking the morning after pill while breastfeeding |
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| The morning after pill is generally considered safe for |
| breastfeeding women, as it does not have harmful effects on |
| breast milk or the baby. |
| It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to |
| discuss any potential risks or concerns. |
Video answer to “Is it safe to take the morning after pill while breastfeeding?”
Dr. Shailaja discusses the safety of emergency contraceptives for breastfeeding mothers, explaining that while certain hormones may temporarily reduce milk supply, levels usually rebound. However, she advises against using ulipristal acetate contraceptives due to the recommendation of pumping and discarding breast milk for a week. She reassures that progesterone passed through breast milk has no adverse effects on the baby, though there may be concern for babies less than six weeks old due to their immature liver metabolizing the hormones. Overall, breastfeeding mothers should not be scared about using these contraceptives.
Other viewpoints exist
It’s safe to use when you’re breastfeeding and it won’t affect your milk supply.
Yes, taking the morning-after pill is generally considered to be safe to take while breastfeeding. However, the side effects may vary depending on the type.
Can You Take Morning After Pill While Breastfeeding? Yes, you can. You can always take Next Choice One Dose, Plan B One-Step, Levonorgestrel tablets, and other progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills while breastfeeding. Taking any of these pills once usually causes no change to the quality or quantity of the breast milk.
Is the morning after pill is safe to use while breastfeeding? Dr. Ralph Boling answered Obstetrics and Gynecology 41 years experience Yes: the progestin based pills are safe with breastfeeding. However, you should discuss a more effective plan with your doctor as well, to be sure of all… Read More
Although you may have some vaginal bleeding, the morning-after pill (essentially higher-dose oral contraceptive pill) is safe for mothers and infants who are nursing. It will not work if you are already pregnant, of course. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
As Aaron Lazorwitz, MD, MSCS, an OBGYN at the University of Colorado, explains, Plan B (a levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive method), is safe to take while breastfeeding and has not been found to have any negative effects on breastfeeding or breastfed babies.
A 2013 clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “ The Transfer of Drugs and Therapeutics into Human Breast Milk: An Update on Selected Topics, ” indicates that most medications and immunizations are safe to use during lactation.
The pill’s hormones are passed through to breastmilk but don’t appear to cause harm to the development or health of the breastfeeding infant.
People are also interested
Thereof, Can you take the morning-after pill while breast feeding?
The reply will be: Emergency contraception is still available while breastfeeding. The emergency contraceptive pill “Levonorgestrel” is safe to use while breastfeeding. It is available at pharmacies without prescription, and should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
How long does Plan B decrease milk supply? The answer is: Morning-After pills
There may be a slight drop in milk supply a few days after taking the morning-after pill, but milk levels should rebound thereafter.
What are the odds of getting pregnant while breastfeeding? Response to this: About 2 out of 100 people who use breastfeeding as birth control get pregnant in the 6 months it can be used after a baby is born.
Do I have to pump and dump after taking Plan B?
Answer: The strongest concentration of Ella in the breastmilk occurs for 1 to 3 hours after taking it, so some providers recommend pumping and dumping only once. There are no known complications for babies who do breastfeed right after the mother has taken emergency contraception.
Can you take the morning-after pill while breastfeeding? As an answer to this: Research also indicates that if you take the morning-after pill while you are breastfeeding, it may decrease milk production. The pill’s hormones are passed through to breastmilk but don’t appear to cause harm to the development or health of the breastfeeding infant.
In this way, Can you take a mini-pill if you’re breastfeeding?
It’s thought that estrogen may be at the root of this. If you’d like to use an oral contraceptive, the mini-pill is an option. This pill contains progestin only, so it’s considered to be safer for breastfeeding mothers. The pill is typically only available by prescription, but may be found over the counter (OTC) in some states.
One may also ask, Can I take medication if I’m breastfeeding?
If you’re breastfeeding and plan to take medication, check with your health care provider. Avoid taking medications you don’t necessarily need, such as herbal medications, high-dose vitamins and unusual supplements. Also ask about the timing. For example, taking medication immediately after breastfeeding might help lower your baby’s exposure.
One may also ask, Should you take a morning after pill if you have no children? In reply to that: ‘There’s still a lot of assumptions made about emergency contraception, but remember that the morning after pill is an option available to anyone, at any point in their life, if they want to try and avoid unplanned pregnancy. ’ It doesn’t matter if you have zero or six children: you are not obligated to have any more if that’s not what you want.
Moreover, Can you take a morning-after pill while breastfeeding? The reply will be: There are two types of morning-after pill (also called emergency contraception). One type has to be taken sooner than the other, and the rules for taking them during breastfeeding are different. One type is a pill containing levonorgestrel. There are several different brand names, but the most well-known is Levonelle.
Should I take the morning after pill? Answer to this: No : If you are using birth control already the "morning after pill" should not be needed. If you have not been using your birth control method properly,Read More
Can you take a mini-pill if you’re breastfeeding? It’s thought that estrogen may be at the root of this. If you’d like to use an oral contraceptive, the mini-pill is an option. This pill contains progestin only, so it’s considered to be safer for breastfeeding mothers. The pill is typically only available by prescription, but may be found over the counter (OTC) in some states.
Likewise, Can I take medication if I’m breastfeeding? The reply will be: If you’re breastfeeding and plan to take medication, check with your health care provider. Avoid taking medications you don’t necessarily need, such as herbal medications, high-dose vitamins and unusual supplements. Also ask about the timing. For example, taking medication immediately after breastfeeding might help lower your baby’s exposure.