[John Valentine]

Sorry, this moonbat isn't talking about RU-482.

This is entirely different. The so-called morning after pill prevents conception, it doesn't abort a concieved embryo. It would have no effect whatsoever after conception.

Sorry to disappoint.

[VeritatisSplendor]

The morning after pill can also prevent implantation of an embryo. That's why some pharmacists and physicians want nothing to do with it.

Mrs VS

[CaptainMorgantown]

This is only partly correct. The 'morning after' pill is not RU486, but basically just an extra heavy dose of regular birth control pills. It can act to prevent pregnancy in one of two ways:

1) The hormone contained in the birth control pill can act to delay or prevent ovulation. Since conception sometimes takes place a day or two after the act, if the pill is taken after the act but before ovulation and it successfully prevents ovulation then a pregancy can be prevented before it occurs.

2)The hormone can also irritate or thin the lining of the uterus, the preventing implantation of a fertilized embryo. Depending on one's definition of whether the pregnancy begins at conception or implantation, this could constitute an abortion.

I don't claim to have detailed medical expertise, but because of the precise timing requirements for #1 to occur, I have to believe that #2 is the more common mode of operation for the 'morning after' pill.

[Mom MD]

Actually, it does. IT makes the uterine environment hostile to the implantation of an already fertilized and developing embryo.

[Yaelle]

This is entirely different. The so-called morning after pill prevents conception, it doesn't abort a concieved embryo. It would have no effect whatsoever after conception.

It more probably prevents implantation in the uterus. Conception can't be stopped if sperm is allowed through the cervix (except for the pill, which prevents follicles from ripening to eggs).