Is it possible to get pregnant on the pill? Yes.
Although no birth control method is 100 percent guaranteed, oral contraceptives are one of the most effective available. In fact, when a woman correctly uses birth control pills that contain both progestin and estrogen, she has an almost 100% chance of preventing pregnancy each year. Even if a woman occasionally forgets to take her pills, the annual effective rate of oral contraception remains at a relatively high level of around 91 percent – but statistically, that still means 9 women in 100 experience an unintended pregnancy each year.
Over a 3-year time period the risk for unintended pregnancy with typical utilization is more than 24x greater than constant, perfect use.
Most women who get pregnant while on the pill report missing two or more pills in a month or they use prescription drugs such as antibiotics or anti-depressants. All in all, 25 out of 100 women become pregnant after a three-year period of regular birth control pill use. Here the keyword is ‘regular use’, which means missing the pill from time to time.
If taken perfectly (about the same time every day, without missed pills), the same statistic is 1 pregnancy for every 100 women. Over a three-year time period, the risk for unintended pregnancy with standard use was 24x greater than with ideal use.
What Should a Woman Do If She Gets Pregnant on the Pill
Any woman who believes she may be pregnant while taking the pill should immediately stop using oral contraceptives and schedule an appointment with her doctor. The doctor can confirm if she is pregnant and can discuss all options and answer any questions or concerns.
As long as a woman catches her pregnancy early enough, termination is still possible, if that’s what the woman decides is the best option. A woman who decides to carry the baby to term needs to make sure that she takes all the precautions necessary to give the child the best possible chance in life.
The Risks of Pregnancy While on Birth Control
Many soon-to-be mothers worry that if they conceive a child while using birth control pills, there is a higher percentage that the pregnancy will end in either a miscarriage or a stillbirth. This is not true. But there are health problems that can develop for women who become pregnant while using oral contraceptives.
One of the biggest risks of pregnancy on the pill is mistaking the signs of pregnancy as one of the side effects of using this form of contraception. This can delay prenatal care and lead to other health risks for the mother and the unborn child. These signs may include missed periods, breast tenderness, and nausea. Women who suddenly develop any of these symptoms after using the pill for several months without problems should talk to a doctor to determine the cause.
The FDA has not officially proven any direct link between oral contraceptives and birth defects.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not officially verified any direct link between continued oral contraceptive use and birth defects. A study on birth defects and oral contraception in Denmark seems to coincide with the FDA’s stance.
In the Danish study, children of mothers who accidentally used birth control pills early in their pregnancy had no more birth defects than the general population. But, on the other hand, some studies suggest that oral contraceptives can increase the chance of an ectopic pregnancy in which the child develops outside the womb, or a rare birth defect that affects the male babies (called hypospadias).
These are just guidelines and it is important to talk to your doctor about any medical issues that may concern you.
Mikko Törmä is a certified pharmacist and has more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy and has also worked in Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Mikko is a professional writer whose main focus is to make medical science simple to read and understand, so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the research and recommendations made by professionals. His deepest interests are in public health and to provide equitable access to basic health care for all.
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