How to Know If You Are Pregnant On Birth Control Pill

The birth control pill works by suppressing certain hormones that make a woman ovulate. If the pill works correctly, a woman will never ovulate when taking it. Birth control pills also work by thinning the uterine lining, so that if a woman does ovulate, and the egg does meet with a sperm, it is more difficult to stick to the uterus. Unfortunately for couples on the pill, this method isn't foolproof. Not only is the pill not 100 percent effective when used correctly, many woman use it incorrectly, which lowers the success rate significantly. Not taking the pill at a regular time or skipping pills altogether are two typical ways to lower its effectiveness. Since pregnancy is dangerous if you are taking the pill, it is important to find out immediately if you are pregnant. This guide will help you determine if you are pregnant while on birth control pills.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Panty liners
• At-home pregnancy test

1. Feel your breasts to determine if they are sore. When on birth control pills, most women experience virtually no symptoms of menstruation. While they may have had sore breasts and cramps during their cycle before the pill, they have no symptoms after. If you feel your breasts becoming tender, however, this could be a sign of growing progesterone in your body, which could signal pregnancy. If this soreness does not go away after a couple of days, pregnancy could be the reason.

2. Wear a panty liner to determine if you are spotting before your regular period. Spotting can happen during pregnancy when the egg embeds itself in the uterine lining. Sometimes this causes a tiny bit of bleeding. If you experience this before your expected period, you could be pregnant.

3. Wait for your period. A missed period is a telltale sign of pregnancy. A period signifies the beginning of a new cycle. If you are pregnant, however, a new cycle will not begin. No egg is needed, because your body is now concentrating on growing a baby.

4. Determine if you are experiencing any other pregnancy-like symptoms. If you have missed your period, or if you are close to your period, closely examine your body. Are you nauseous or overly tired, or do you have an increased need to urinate? These are all symptoms that newly pregnant women experience.

5. Take an at-home pregnancy test. If you are questioning pregnancy at all, take a pregnancy test. You can purchase these tests at discount or drug stores. They are fairly expensive, ranging from $8 to $20 each, but they are also fairly accurate.

Tips & Warnings

• Immediately discontinue taking your birth control pills if you find out you are pregnant. The pill can cause miscarriage.
• Don't forget that antibiotics lower the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use additional precautions during this time.

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[jayne34]

on 9/15/2009 i had period after my last pack of the pill
but that is not a true period is it and it as been 2wks
and i have not had a period is that ok or am i pregnant

[neeke]

on 8/17/2009 I've been having unprotected sex a few days before i started using the pill, my boyfriend pulls out before he's finished, but now I've been taking the pill for about a week and my period is a week late. Could it just be the birth control or am i pregnant, I have no symptoms of pregnancy

[brittany088]

on 8/10/2009 Hello...so I am on birth control but I stopped taking it for awhile...and one night had unprotective sex...so the next day started taking my birth control again...I have was spotting when I first started my birth control and now starting to go to the bathroom more...I have been on my birth control now for 2 weeks and I have been stressing out thinking I might be pregnant for these are just side effects with my birth control...I need help please!

[kalijean]

on 12/28/2008 i started to take pill a day after we had unprotected sex. i took two pills for 3 days not following the instruction on the box. thn after that i take the regular dose until now. this is my first time to use this method. you think the pill will take effect?

[native2here89]

on 10/24/2008 i have been takeing the pill for 2 months and i started takeing it 1 week after my period. I have been expiriencing lite bleeding from the middle of the biggining of my secound pack. I took a 2 pregnancy tests and they were both negative. my period has been comming and going sence then but today it has stopped 3 days after I finished the secound pack. Is that normal or should I get checked by a doctor and maybe take a different pill?