Patient's question:
Can you still keep the child after taking birth control pills and finding out you are pregnant?Doctor's answer:
The effects of emergency contraception on the embryo and whether it is possible to continue the pregnancy remain undetermined in the medical community. The common view is that if emergency contraception is taken during the month of pregnancy and it affects the embryo, it may lead to a natural miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. If there is no effect, the pregnancy would naturally continue. If emergency contraception is taken after the fourth week of pregnancy, the likelihood of fetal malformation increases.The medication label explicitly states that it is contraindicated for pregnant or potentially pregnant individuals. However, regarding whether a pregnancy should be terminated, it is still necessary to consult an obstetrician and understand the potential risks before making a decision. From an eugenics perspective, there is indeed an impact. During the early stages of pregnancy, particularly the first three months and the three months before conception, any medication can affect the development of oocytes and embryos.
It is recommended to keep the baby, undergo regular prenatal examinations, and perform the following tests:
- Nuchal translucency screening between weeks 14-19 of pregnancy.
- A four-dimensional ultrasound for prenatal anomaly detection between weeks 22-26 of pregnancy.
- Amniocentesis and umbilical cord blood analysis between weeks 16-20 of pregnancy, if necessary.
These tests can help determine the baby's development inside the womb.