Anyone Get Pregnant While on the Pill?

Updated on May 05, 2008
J.L. asks from Downers Grove, IL
22 answers

i'm just wondering if any of you have gotten pregnant while on the pill...I've been on it for 19 years ...minus the time I was preganant. Forgot about the antibiotic reducing effectiveness thing, since I'm so rarely sick, and now am afraid I could be pregnant...I know I panicking because I haven't even missed my period yet...but I just reaized that I didnt' use alternate BC while taking the antibiotic. any words of advice/encouragement would be appreciated!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for your supportive responses. I feel a little better as my husband was not as freaked out at the possiblity as I thought he would be. Should know for sure by next week! Thanks again!

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C.L.

answers from Terre Haute on

J.,

I hate to tell you, but both times that I got pregnant, I was on the pill. Neither time was I on antibiotics. The first time, I was even told that I couldn't get pregnant at that time because I had an ovarian cyst---oops!! Guess ol' doc was WRONG!!! The second time, I took my pill at the same time every day (I set an alarm to take my pills.) because my now "ex" husband didn't want me to have another child. When he found out I was pregnant, he was less than thrilled.

I did read somewhere that you should change the type of pills at least every 5 years...I don't know if that is still true though...

I wish you the best of luck! Keep in touch if you need someone to talk to!

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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

I have been on the pill for 16 years, minus pre-pregnancy and pregnancy.

I have also recently taken antibiotics on 2 occassions. I did not get pregnant and over the years when I have taken antibiotics I have not gotten pregnant, all without back up BC.

I spoke with the pharmicist about this recently and he told me that it only potentially reduces the effectiveness but so can vomiting, diarrhea, taking it at different times, missing a dose, etc.

If you are concerned, I would stop taking them for the cycle and take an early pregnancy test.

Good Luck!

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L.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

Weeellll, not sure if I can make you feel better or not. I have 3 children, 2 of which are pill babies due to antibiotics. As soon as I suspected, I quit taking the pill and switched to condoms for bc until I knew for sure. Unfortunately, all you can do is wait it out. I hope things turn out the way you would like them to. :) Hugs and prayers!!

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T.K.

answers from Chicago on

I believe that the antibiotics only decrease the effectiveness of the pill by like 8%, so really the chances are slim unless by chance you are extreamly fertile. I wouldn't worry really until you miss your period.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I did. While I was on seasonale.
And i wasn't on any antibiotics either.

Maybe it's the flu? Or the beginning of a cold?

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R.

answers from Chicago on

Now this is just me, but I got pregnant twice while on the pill, my first and current pregnancy. The second child was planned. The first time I had kidney stones around the time I got pregnant, which they say cause of all the x-rays may have caused the lapse in effectiveness of the pill. With this one, I was taking meds for my migraines and the dr. said it would not effect the pill, but here I am 7 months pregnant, so who knows. I'm the type that if my husband sneezes on me I get pregnant. I was on antibiotics once or twice while on the pill and never got pregnant, so you should be fine.

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J.D.

answers from Terre Haute on

Hello J.... Well YES, I am a person that has gotten pregnant twice while on Birth Control pills:) I was on the same pill for 10 years and then one day I finally did not start my period.. hummm I thought? well then my breast stared hurting and all of the other signs of course. Went to the doctor and I was 3 months pregnant! SHOCKER to ME! I had my period for 2 months prior so, I did not think anything of it! Well 6 months later we had a healthy little gal. I was put on a different pill after I stopped Breastfeeding and when my baby was 9 months old I felt the same way again!! WOW pregnant again... 7 months later had another little gal.. so needless to say the pill used to work for 8 years ago but not now! I would not change it for the world though.. I am so happy to be a mommy and the way becoming a mommy came about! NOW long story.. .YES you can become pregnant on the pill I am the 1% proof twice.. and anitbiotics are not a good thing with the pill.. I would just becareful and use a back up method or do nothing for at least a month after you get off of your Anitbiotics!! Good luck... I am a firm believer that if you are ment to get pregnant then it is out of your hands and in the hands of GOD:)

D.F.

answers from Indianapolis on

Well, I didn't get pregnant while on the pill, but my mom did--with me! It does happen.

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H.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

Yep me too, with my now 12 yr old. I will tell you though that I thought I was pregnant before, did'nt have a period, then I took a pegnancy test and shew! I started! I believe if your stressed that will definately stop your flow.
H.

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A.L.

answers from Indianapolis on

GIRL...I don't know about pregnancy....but 19 years is TOO long to be on BC pills. Time to got to the Dr. be sure to tell them the 19 year thing!!

Good luck.

A.

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L.F.

answers from Chicago on

Yes my girlfriend and my mother-in-law. I am sure their are other people in my life as well.

Both were on an antibiotic. Drugs can lower the effectiveness of the pill.

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D.T.

answers from Muncie on

I did, no antibiotic involved though. It was just the 1% miss chance. My sister did become pregnant and she was on antibiotics. Only thing I can suggest is just wait and see. If you are pregnant again, two is a nice number and your first is at a good age to have a younger sibling.
I personally believe that each child is a blessing and that there is nothing a person can do to really keep them from having a child if God decides. That's just my personal belief. I hope if you are pregnant you regard the child as a gift and never an mistake.

Good luck to you!

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D.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I got pregnant while I was on the pill...kinda. I wasn't taking it regularly, but if you suspect you could be pregnant, you should STOP taking it until you know for sure!!

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D.K.

answers from Chicago on

Some antibiotics do not reduce the effect of the pill. I have been on antibiotics in the past that my doctor told me were fine to take while on the pill and that I didn't need to use a back-up method. Call you doctor and check it out.

Good Luck,
D.

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R.R.

answers from Chicago on

I did...twice. No antibiotics or other medicine. The first time was on Ortho Tri-cyclene. And the second on Ortho Tri-cyclene Lo. I wouldn't trade my little surprises for the world. But, I went and had the essure procedure done just to make sure!

If you think there's a chance you are pregnant, you should definitely stop taking the pills until you know for sure. Stopping may trigger your period to start, so you'll know sooner, too.

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L.

answers from Chicago on

I did, but I had food poisoning.

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S.

answers from Chicago on

I got pregnant twice while on the pill. The first time I was on tri cylene and the second time I was on seasonal. The first time I was 38 the second time I was 40. We did not want children but it has changed our lives in such a wonderful way that I am happy it happened.

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P.

answers from Chicago on

Yes I did. I didn't belive it when the Dr. told me that I was pregnant! I was on ortho-tri-cycen I never missed a day or took and Antibiotics. This was almost 8 years ago.

They say that they are 99% effective.. that means 1 out of every 100 get pregnant!

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G.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi J.,
yes I myself have gotten pregnant on the pill twice. My first child was a bc baby and my last child also. If you are worried about being pregnant you could go to your doctor for a pregnancy test or if you don't have the money for that planned parenthood does it for free. I wouldn't worry to much since you haven't missed your period. My children are all great and only one was planned. But I love them all the same. Everything will work out for the better even if you are pregnant. I understand what you are going through if you need anymore encouragement feel free to write back.Good luck and have a great day!
G.

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S.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi! You have a lot of responses so I will be quick. Yes you can, but I'd try not to worry until you have missed a period. Did the doc ask what meds you were on before prescribing the antibiotic? If so, s/he may have taken it into consideration.
Here's a site you can order hospital-grade tests from and they are way cheaper than the name brand ones that aren't as good so they can test sooner and more accurately:
http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/?gclid=CLnZsfvv_48CF...

These are the cheapest because it's just the tester strip, no packaging you pee in a cup and dip the strip:
http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/3pregtesstri.html

Good Luck! Let us know how it turns out:)

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A.K.

answers from Chicago on

YEP! Both of my children were concieved while I was on the Pill. Plus, I didn't have any antibotics at all.lol My kids are 18 months apart. But, since the then I have gone off the pill and I haven't been pregnant. LOL For my system being on the pill is a sure way to get pregnant. It has been over 6 years.lol

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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

I did with Lauren who is 9. And with Lexie who is 12, I got preggo and he used a condom. Can you believe that? And then, I went off the pill to try and get preggo with Erik and it took 8 mths. Go figure. I would give it a couple more days and the check it out. The chance I am sure is slim.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

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