Way to tell if pregnant when on BC pill?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Way to tell if pregnant when on BC pill?
4
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 4:40pm
I'm probably just paranoid. I've seen that you can spot or even have a light period when just starting on your BC pills and really not be having your period, just having your body get used to the hormones. My periods have definitely been lighter since I started the BC pill 2 months ago. Whereas before I would need to change a tampon every 4 hours or else it would soak through, I can now wear the same one all day and still not have much blood on it when I take it out. There has only been one time that I was late (by about 9 hours) taking my pill-that was about 2 weeks ago and I'm just freaking out that because my period is light that maybe it's implantation blood. I'm pretty sure it's not because I had a crampy feeling and it was a little bit heavier at the beginning. But is there a way to tell the difference?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 6:11pm
Hon. try and relax, ok? You are probably ok. Did you use back-up for 7 days after being 9 hrs. late with your pill? Implantation bleeding is just a bit of spotting for a day or so a few days after the IC that resulted in conception. So, if you are bleeding, even lightly for several days during your actives or placebo week it is very unlikely that you are pg. The only way to tell with some certainty is to test at least 2 weeks after the event of concern or after your period is late. If you want to test I think you should give yourself at least until the weekend before you do. I think you are probably fine. If just using pills by themselves is freaking you out you might want to consider using another method in addition to your pills; sponge, spermicide or barrier just for peace of mind, until you can bring yourself to trust your pills. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 7:38am
Your periods are supposed to be lighter on the pill! For some of us, that's why we started it in the first place. With the pill, you'd be able to tell if you were pregnant just like how you do when you're not on the pill--women who get pregnant on the pill will miss periods. Either that or they'll be very different from a normal pill-period. Since you're just getting used to the pill, things may still change a bit, but your period shoudln't be as heavy as it was before the pill.
Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 8:19am
No I didn't use backup for 7 days afterwards. The instructions that came with the pills said if you miss one, take it as soon as you remember and no backup is necessary. It wasn't until after I missed the one pill that I started looking up a bunch of stuff on the Internet and realized that 9 hours is quite a bit to miss it by. I'm new to the whole thing and only on my second pack. I think I'm okay though. I bled for about 5 days and it was heavier at the beginning and then tapered off. I should be okay, right?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 12:38pm
The back-up recommendation for one missed pill is new. The risk is slight but apparently there were enough unintended pregnancies from missing a single pill that the FDA is recommending that labeling be changed from no back-up to back-up for a miss. If you had a pill-period I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think you should be ok.

Take care,

      Jill