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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if you have got pregnant whilst on the Pill?

145 replies

HeyNannyNanny · 10/09/2016 20:38

I had decided to go on to the pill once my implant expired as I'd being having numerous problems with it; mostly completely unpredictable periods. Though also possibly weight gain and mood swings. (But possibly I'm just moody and chubby).

However, after talking to my Mum about it - I'm completely off put. It turns out she got pregnant three times on the pill; 26 years ago, 14 years ago and 8 years ago. She says its only effective in ideal circumstances and that if you are ill (namely sickness or diarrhoea) it is far less likely to work. She has recently had a coil, and says it was excrutiatingly painful, so another option gone.

My implant has now expired, so I'm really keen on finding an alternative.
NHS online says the pill is 99% effective, but clearly not in my immediate family.

May I ask if you or anyone you know has got pregnant whilst on the Pill? Is it just my Mum and her super-human fertility?

OP posts:
BingBongBingBong · 10/09/2016 20:41

I got pregnant with my DS while I was on the pill (Yasmin) and was taking it perfectly. When I went to the docs he said people getting pregnant on the pill happens more than you'd realise and he doesn't think it's as effective as 99%.

Eyre89 · 10/09/2016 20:43

My sister did

Itrytoohard · 10/09/2016 20:45

My 16 year old DD got pregnant whilst on the pill. Doesn't mean it doesn't work though, just some cases it doesn't.

redexpat · 10/09/2016 20:46

I can think of 3 pregnancies that i know of. Other people's I mean.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 10/09/2016 20:46

On the pill for 13years without ever getting pregnant until I came off to get pregnant

KindergartenKop · 10/09/2016 20:46

I found the coil great. Try it, it's incredibly reliable and easy.

Chinks123 · 10/09/2016 20:47

I got pregnant on the pill, and I believe it is because I was sick one morning and then had sex later on that day. (I felt better and it didn't even cross my mind that my pill would be less effective-I wasn't really thinking about that Blush) but I did take it at the same time every day and never missed one and yes I still got pregnant.

DerekSprechenZeDick · 10/09/2016 20:47

I did and on the injection

The only true 100% effective thing is abstinence.

Even pregnancy doesn't protect you from pregnancy

TroysMammy · 10/09/2016 20:47

I've been on the pill for 31 years, bar 2 occasions of a few months when I wasn't in a relationship. I've never been pregnant nor have I had any pregnancy scares. Perhaps I don't have sex enough Grin

talksensetome · 10/09/2016 20:48

I got pregnant on the mini pill but I wasn't taking it 100% so it was definitely user error rather than pill failure.

I currently have a copper coil and take the pill as well.

Chinks123 · 10/09/2016 20:48

But I am still on it now years after having DD and haven't fallen pregnant again, I still trust the pill for me.

cuntinghomicidalcardigan · 10/09/2016 20:49

I did. And I took it perfectly without fail. No idea how that happened!

MatildaTheCat · 10/09/2016 20:49

The Pill is 99% effective when taken perfectly.

That means every single dose at the correct time. Taking extra precautions when unwell or if taking certain other medications.

I used to look after pregnant teenagers and a surprising number of them had 'pill failures'. Hmm Or, possibly, user failures.

Sparrowlegs248 · 10/09/2016 20:51

I have recently, it was the mini pill, Norgeston (?) but I couldn't guarantee I was taking it within the recommended time scale each day.

ArthurFoulkesayce · 10/09/2016 20:51

I did on cerazette, found out at 6 months. She's four now and the best thing ever!

I've now got a copper coil and no sex!

liz70 · 10/09/2016 20:53

Yes, on the mini pill, with DD2. DD1 was 7 months old at the time. We had to cancel our summer holiday in Lewis. Grin

Original poster
HeyNannyNanny · 10/09/2016 20:54

I have to admit, I'm not the best at remembering to take tablets though I would try and DP would help too by reminding me. But its not looking great :/

I've been looking at the coils KindergardenKop after reading that.
Did anyone find those really painful? I guess they are only every 3/5 years so it wouldn't matter too much...

OP posts:
Karoleann · 10/09/2016 20:56

Yes, I got pregnant with DS1 on the pill, had coil fitted afterwards - I honestly couldn't say it was painful at all, no worse than a smear.

After DC3 DH had a vasectomy.

BrutallyHonest · 10/09/2016 20:56

No of course you are not being unreasonable to ask us if we have ever got pregnant whilst on the pill. YANBU completely. Why would you ever think it's unreasonable to ask?

theconstantinoplegardener · 10/09/2016 20:59

I know of two friends who became pregnant whilst on the pill. One was "user error" (she had too many days off between packs). The other is a nurse, and swears she took it perfectly!

GERTgert06 · 10/09/2016 21:37

My daughter-in-law became pregnant twice while taking the pill. Both occasions coincided with her being on transatlantic (overnight) flights, with a time difference of 6 hours.

PrincessWizard · 10/09/2016 22:01

Yes with DD1 just before my 16th birthday.

Scarydinosaurs · 10/09/2016 22:03

Yup, on Yasmin. Didn't take it absolutely perfectly and have a medical condition that reduces its effectiveness- but no one thought to point this out to me.

GreatFuckability · 10/09/2016 22:07

yes I did, twice. and with a coil (which was the worst thing i ever had, it was awfully painful going in and caused pain the whole time i had it, but i think i'm the exception to the rule as the vast majority of people i know who've had it say it's great).

GratuitousSaxandViolins · 10/09/2016 22:11

The pill is a great contraception if it is taken perfectly but most of us don't remember to take it at the same time every day, or miss a pill, or get sick etc. So actually the typical effectiveness rate is 91%. That's nearly 10% chance of getting pregnant for most of us, just because of the user error. Depo injection is slightly more effective but still has some user error and a few nasty side effects. The implant, Mirena or Coil are the most effective by far. You can take medications to settle your bleeding with the implant, and the Mirena or coil is not always painful.