A mom writes in asking for advice about birth control and pregnancy. She says, essentially, that she missed a few days here and there taking her birth control as planned. This has caused her to spiral into a world of complicated ovulation math, and she is wondering what the odds are that she is pregnant, because she had unprotected sex with her husband recently. She turns to the community for advice on what she should do regarding her birth control — should she start a new pack? — and feedback on what she should do next.
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A member of the community asks:
“What are the chances that I could be pregnant?”
“I need advice. Please keep this anonymous. A little back story: on my last birth control pack, I accidentally started my Estarylla birth control pack one day early, on August 1st, but it was supposed to be August 2nd. Well, I started my period early (around Aug 16-18, I can’t remember which day, but it was one day that week), and it was really painful.
Well, I started a new pack on August 23rd, so the 23-29 would have been my first week in the new pack. I have been extremely busy with work and stuff, so I mistakenly missed Thursday (8/27), took only one pill Friday, and also missed Saturday (29th) and Sunday (30th). My usual cycle is 28 days, like clockwork (I always start on Thursday the week of the placebo pills), and I know you ovulate 14 days before the 1st day of your next period if you have a 28-day cycle. So this means I would ovulate around September 1st.
I had unprotected sex with my hubby This Sat (the 29th), not even thinking of the missed pills. My question is, do I need to start a new pack since I have missed three pills? I’ve heard you have to, but I DIDN’T miss 3 in a ROW like stated above. I missed Thursday but took my Friday one, and missed Sat and Sun for a little review. So, since my last period seemed to start a little earlier than usual, would my ovulation date be off?
I usually have mild cramping during ovulation, and I am currently doing that. What are my chances of getting pregnant due to the three missed pills, and should I start a new pack? Or just take the 3 I missed and one a day until the lack is finished? Has anyone gone through this?“
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Who Missed a Couple of Days Taking Birth Control and Is Wondering What the Odds Are That She’s Pregnant
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“I got pregnant with my 1st daughter on the pill. I missed 1 day, just 1, and yep apparently that’s all it takes. I had a bunch of health issues that should have made it almost impossible and yet 1 missed pill, sex on 1 weekend, and bam, welcome my miracle baby. Took me 2 years of trying for my 2nd born. So yes, its definitely possible to get pregnant missing a dose.”
“You’re probably not pregnant, but you still should consult a doctor rather than Facebook. Also, you should definitely be more diligent taking your pills regularly or use a different form of birth control unless you’re wanting to have a child.”
“Just take the rest of the pack as normal and find a better routine for taking your pills (put the with your toothbrush so you remember them every night when you brush your teeth or something like that) not taking your pills properly is going to affect your period and of course there is a chance you could be pregnant. Your periods are like clockwork because the pills cause them to be. Might want to use other protection for the next week or so as well.”
“Take a test… it will tell you. The dollar store ones work great!”
“If you have questions about whether to start a new pack or catch up on the other three pills, then ask your OBGYN or whoever prescribed them. We aren’t doctors so we shouldn’t advise about that! Definitely grab a test, too. I got pregnant on the pill but I was lousy at taking it and would miss days/catch up days all the time. It can happen.”
“A pharmacist can tell you if you should start a new pack or not. It depends on what day it was in the pack and how many pills. They know all of that. And the possibility of pregnancy not really sure. They might know that too. I switched from the pill to the ring because I wasn’t absorbing the pill and I wanted protection right away. The pharmacist was able to tell me when to do the switch. Good luck!”
“Finish the pack normally. You probably aren’t ovulating like you should since you are on the pill. I missed them all the time and never got pregnant until I completely stopped taking them. Your period will probably be irregular since you’ve missed some pills. If you don’t get a period at all then maybe take a test. Other than that I wouldn’t worry.”
“When you miss a pill you should take 2 the next day. If you miss more than 3 days in a row, you would stop the pill wait for your cycle then start a new pack after.”
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