Can I get pregnant while on the pill?
Yes, you can, the pill isn't 100% safe...
Posted: 24 May 2009
by ThinkBaby
This is a very frequently asked question, and the answer is yes, it certainly is possible to become pregnant when you’re on the pill. A standard birth control pill is effective about 99.5% of the time if it is used absolutely correctly, so if you use the pill to the letter of the instructions you have a 0.5% chance of becoming pregnant over the course of one year. You could get pregnant even if you do everything right. And if you aren’t scrupulous about following instructions, the pill is far less effective. Studies vary but some show a user failure rate of over 5%, meaning that in the real world as many as 5% of the women on the pill will become pregnant over the course of one year.
What increases the failure rate?
One of the most common failings in taking the pill properly is forgetting to take a pill entirely, particularly in the first few days of the cycle. It’s also possible to take a pill and for the pill never to enter your system because of a stomach upset with vomiting or diarrhoea. If either of these things happen to you you should check the manufacturer’s instructions about doubling up with an alternative contraception for a period of time.
Some other medications, such as antibiotics and migraine medicines, can affect the effectiveness of the pill, so you need to be sure your doctor is aware you’re on the pill before prescribing other medicines for you and that you take other contraceptive measures when necessary.
If you’re using a back-up method of contraception because the effectiveness of the pill has been compromised in some way, then remember during that time your contraception is only as effective as the back-up method you are using.
How will I know if I’m pregnant?
The most usual way to realise that you’re pregnant when you’re on the pill is when your period doesn’t arrive as usual. You may also experience some physical symptoms of pregnancy, even in early weeks, such as tingling, sore or heavy breasts, and mild cramping. If you think you could be pregnant then take a home test as soon as you miss your period or arrange a test with your doctor.
There’s no hard evidence that using the pill when pregnant will harm your baby, but it could, so it makes sense to stop taking the pill as soon as you realise that you’re pregnant and see our advice for an unexpected pregnancy.
Discuss this story
Hi, my husband and i have been debating for a while now about havin children, we've now decided we would deffinatly like a child. I've been taking the pill for just over a year, i took my last pill yeaturday, do you think it would be possible for me 2 concieve tonnight as i have not taken the pill? If not, how long will it take, Thanks, Kacy.
Posted: 03/12/2007 13:11
Hi Kacy. When you stop the pill, you can, in theory, concieve at any time, as soon as you release an egg. It can take up to 6 months for your cycles to become regular after stopping the pill so you may release an egg straight away or nothing may happen for a few weeks. There really isnt any way of knowing how long it will take as its very different for all women. I fell pregnant whilst on the pill with my first daughter. I then went back on the pill after she was born and came off it again after 3 years to try for #2. I concieved within 6 weeks that time so really quite quick.I then went back on the pill when she was born and came off again on the 4th of march this year to try for #3. I concieved 2 week later so super quick. My cycles pretty much returned to normal straight away but like i said it can take time. I hope you dont have to wait too long hun, good luck x Em x
Posted: 03/12/2007 13:23
jackie i was on cerezette and i only used to get periods every 3 months. my doc said its normal with that brand of pill, but i ended up switching it because i couldnt stand all the not knowing and worrying. if the tests are neg then dont worry, but if you reguarly forget your pill it might be an idea to switch to something else, that was what i ended up doing. xxx
Posted: 07/12/2007 21:49
hello i was jus wonderin im on the pill n have been since i was 16. I got pregnant with my son while on the pill, he is now 4. Im still in the pill but have swithched to marvelon. my pack had run out n on day 5 or 6 of the 7 day break i had unprotected sex with my boyfreind. I also had sex again about 5 days later. I then started my new pack the next day. Basically i had a week where i was supposed to have been taking my pill but hadnt n had unprotected sex twice before i started the new pack. So im wondering is there a possibility of pregnancy. Its too early to take a test and im still takin the pills.please help. Chloe
Posted: 16/06/2008 18:06
there is a chance you may have gotten pregnant during this time, but it all depends on your body, if the pill did not work for you before did they know decide to put you on some other form of controecption? after the pill made me sick i was offered the coil and others they tried to fit the coil after i had my son but it never worked... anyways best thing to do is wait for another week or so and then test if its neg wait for your period, if you don't get it test again and then maybe go see the doctor if you are still worried about it... not sure what else to advise you about good luck
Posted: 16/06/2008 19:14
nope its not told but there is only meant to be a 47% cover rate, the pill is acutally meant to be used along side with a condom, i was told this when the pill made me ill and when i was at the GYNO clinic getting my coil. which didn't get fitted, its very commonto get pregnant on the pill unless you are using it right and its the right dosage which often it is not its usually very low one, sorry to hear about your loss emma, thats a shame my heart goes out to you about that, i lost my first after getting pregnant while on the pill but the midwife said the pill did not cause my miscarriage.... sorry also to hear about your miscarriage chantelle, good luck with this litte one how far along are you?
Posted: 16/06/2008 20:38
Hi lynne. To be honest I think it was not ment to be..was in a very violent relation ship...at 16 i know...and if the lil bubs came into that it would of been crule. I am 24wks 2mz! Had my 24wk check 2day...and all is great! How about you lynne? xxx
Posted: 16/06/2008 21:57
still sorry to hear about your little one never nice lossing a child no matter what is gonig on at the time, my miscarriages were from December 2004 - Jan 2008, i have suffered 5 all before the 12th week of pregnancy, i have one living son who will be 1 on sunday, and currently TTC with my partner, but i have Rhesus sensitivity and also a revolted uterus which both effect my fertility my revolted uterus stopps the fertilised egg from implanting my son was 7 weeks 2days gestation before he implanted which we believe is why he is still here he was also born at 33weeks gestation and my RS (rhesus sen) kills of the baby thru my blood, it was only when i was pregnant with my son they found this out and Anti-D shots do not work to portect sadly which makes it hard to carry a baby for any length of time, but just glad to have my little boy, and hopefully will be blessed with another one someday... congrats on little one, and hopefully all goes well and you'll have your little bundle of joy soon enough, take care
Posted: 16/06/2008 22:10
Hi iv not got pregnant while taking the pill but the injections that last for 3 months..well the last injection i had last year.. i ended up pregnant and im 25 weeks pregnant this thursday. Claire xxx
Posted: 17/06/2008 22:34
congrats on pregnant, bitch that it failed you but i guess sometimes we just got to tell ourself what will be will be no matter what we do ah? i envy you all now, me and parnter TTC for 7months but i have 5% of having a living child.... congrats again hope all going well
Posted: 17/06/2008 22:57
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