The Effect of Birth Control Pills on Pregnancy

Effects

• There are several types of birth control methods. Hormonal and non-hormonal birth control methods are often used to prevent pregnancy. Both have between a 97 and 99 percent chance of preventing pregnancy if taken regularly. Unfortunately, it is easy to miss a pill, which may result in pregnancy.

  Researchers have concluded that there are no proven effects on a fetus when taking birth control. However, it is recommended that you stop taking contraceptives if you are pregnant.

Hormones

• The hormones found in birth control are known as estrogen and progesterone. The combined pill uses a combination of both of these hormones to prevent pregnancy, while the mini-pill only uses progesterone.

  Neither of these hormones have been proven to cause harmful effects on an unborn child. If you are pregnant and have taken birth control during your pregnancy, it will not harm your unborn child.

Research

• Researchers conducted a large study on the effects of artificial hormones (estrogen and progesterone) during pregnancy. No conclusive results were found linking birth defects or miscarriages to these hormones. While there is no valid link between these hormones and pregnancy complications, there is still a small chance that the hormones could be related.

Pregnancy Tests

• If you feel that you may be pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test. Birth control pills have no effect on the accuracy of pregnancy tests. Pregnancy tests are 99% effective after the first or second week of your missed period, regardless of whether you are taking hormonal or non-hormonal birth control methods.

Emergency Contraceptives

• If you miss a pill and do not wish to become pregnant, you should take an emergency contraceptive. This will decrease your chance of becoming pregnant up to 72 hours after a missed pill. Unfortunately, emergency contraceptives will not work if you are already pregnant.

Warning

• When taking birth control pills, you should be aware that antibiotics lower the effectiveness of the contraceptives significantly. If you are taking antibiotics while on birth control, you should use another form of birth control such as condoms or spermicide. If you have already taken antibiotics while on birth control without the use of another contraceptive, you should take a pregnancy test if you miss your period.

  Increasing the amount of your birth control will not decrease your chances of getting pregnant while on these medications, nor will it terminate your pregnancy. If you are taking antibiotics or miss a pill, you should follow the directions your doctor has given you to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.