what are the chances?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
what are the chances?
3
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 9:39pm
I took one depo shot and ble the whole 3 months. So on the day that I was to get my next shot I switched to the patch. I had unprotected sex 4 days after putting on the patch. How likely is it that I could be pregnant? The pamphlet says to use a backup method for the first week, but does it make a difference that I was on the shot previously?

Rachel

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 10:30pm
Hi rachel_72205, welcome!

It's impossible to say how much at risk you are. It might depend on when you usually get your shot (12th or 13th week) and how your body reacts to the Depo. In your case it might be seen as a good thing that a considerable percentage of women coming off Depo experience a delay in the return of fertility, though it's impossible to say if you are one of them. Instructions that come with the patch say that you should use back-up for at least the first 7 days of patch use, while you were wearing it for only 4 before having IC. My guess is that you are probably ok, but no one can know for sure. You'll let us know how you're doing, right?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Wed, 09-08-2004 - 11:52am
Well I went and took a blood test 2 wks ago and it came back negative for pregnancy, but now I'm on my "off week" and my period should have started Sunday. Still haven't started, but I had alot of cramping yesterday. I've been having this discharge that I had when I was prego w/ both my kids. So now I'm worried again! I wish my hubby would just get a vasectomy so I wouldnt have to worry about it anymore.

Rachel, 22

Mahogany, 20 mos

Naveyah, 6 mos

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 09-08-2004 - 12:14pm
Because you're so recently off of Depo, you may not have regular periods for a while, even with the patch. The progestin in Depo is really potent and can linger in the body for months after the end of the last shot, so things could be a little weird for a while. If you had a blood pregnancy test and it was negative, I'd feel pretty confident that it was accurate. If you're having a dark discharge (brownish, maybe thick and sticky), this might take the place of a period this month, being the color of oxidized blood. If you're having more normal discharge than usual, remember that Depo is a progestin-only contraceptive that tends to dry women out, and the increased estrogen from the patch will tend to allow more natural vaginal lubrication.

Good luck! I hope everything works out and you can relax again!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control