Can anyone help with this. A friend took the morning after pill and still
now finds herself pregnant.

What is the risk to the Foetus? Her doctor has just said have an amnio
later, but it has been suggested that the massive dose of female hormone
from the pill could cause abnormalities. Is this true? If so can anyone
tell me what sort and how likely?

(Incidentally she now wants to carry this baby to term which is apparently
unusual) Not many women have been in this position as they all normally go
for a straight termination regardless. I think that is extremely sad.

Please no flames re {*filter*} this is not the issue here and I have no axe
to grind.

: Can anyone help with this. A friend took the morning after pill and still
: now finds herself pregnant.

: What is the risk to the Foetus? Her doctor has just said have an amnio
: later, but it has been suggested that the massive dose of female hormone
: from the pill could cause abnormalities. Is this true? If so can anyone
: tell me what sort and how likely?

: (Incidentally she now wants to carry this baby to term which is apparently
: unusual) Not many women have been in this position as they all normally go
: for a straight termination regardless. I think that is extremely sad.

: Please no flames re {*filter*} this is not the issue here and I have no axe
: to grind.
As far as I am aware there is no scientific evidence of risk to the foetus.

Quoting the Schering PC4 drug information (the commonest morning after
pill) ... "its effect on the pregnancy that is about to start is not
definitely known. ... The consensus of opinion among teratologists is that
even known teratogens will not produce malformations before organogenesis
starts, which is much later than the 72 hours after fertilisation (when
the morning after pill is used)"

Dean Jenkins MB BCh (Wales)
Waikato Hospital
Hamilton
New Zealand