To wonder if I could be pg

[scaredandwondering]

Technically not an AIBU but scared and looking for some support. NC for this.

I am on the pill (gedarel) and haven’t been the best at taking it on time this month.

I forgot the last pill of the last pack and first pill of the next but took two when I started the next pack. I’ve had to double up a couple of times this month and flat out forgot to take 2. Have had otherwise unprotected sex throughout the month.

A couple of days ago I had some odd twinges on my lower right side and a spot of pink blood, and I’ve had more pink spotting today. Had some lower back and tail bone pain too, which is unusual for me. Yesterday cervix was quite low and now it’s almost out of reach.

If I wasn’t on the pill I’d be roughly 8dpo right now on an average cycle.

There are several big reasons why I don’t want to be pregnant right now, but I don’t want to get into it

Based on these circumstances, is it possible I could be pg? I don’t want to worry myself unnecessarily, but I also don’t want to bury my head in the sand.

It's always possible you could be pregnant unless you're abstinent. I was on the pill, came off it to start a new type and even though I had started the new one, having sex once while there could have been a bit of a lapse in it working 100% meant I got pregnant. On the plus side we have a gorgeous almost one year old now.

You'll have to take a test, people online can't really help you. Good luck

I think the only thing you can do is wait for a missed period and then do a test. Its not really possible to determine from the circumstances you describe - it's a possibility but nothing more certain than that. Try to put it from your mind for now and then do a test on the date your period is due if it doesn't arrive.

You've had unprotected sex, so unfortunately it is possible you're pregnant.

Yes there is a chance you could be pregnant if you've not taken your pill on time/missed one etc. I'm afraid the only way you can tell is by taking a test. Hope you get the answer you want.

I know I have to take a test to know for sure, but I wanted to know whether or not it was really unlikely. I don't want to waste money and time being worried if there's very little chance

Ofcourse it's possible. You've failed to take your contraceptive pill properly and you've had unprotected sex. All you can is wait and see and take it from there. Hopefully you won't be. I'd suggest you maybe go and have a chat with your gp about a better choice of contraception for you or at the very least double up and use condoms is you're not very good at taking the pill properly.

There is a chance as you e not been taking your pill effectively. If you struggle with the pill could you look at other forms of contraception?

For now you need to do a pregnancy test - it's the only way to be sure.

I think "wasting" money on a test is remarkably cheaper and easier than the alternative.

Yes it’s possible, the contraceptive pill can only be relied upon when used correctly (and not always then!).

You definitely could be. People do get pregnant on the pill even when taking it properly, so if you know you've been a bit lax you could be.

Maybe an implant/injection or coil would be better if you're rubbish at remembering to take tablets

If you’ve had sex since your last period it’s a possibility.

I guess I was just hoping you'd all tell me not to be silly and I won't be pg. I didn't intend to be lax this month, usually very good at taking them but also just started ADs so memory is a bit skewed I'll take a test soon.

The only way to stop yourself worrying is to take a test

Depends on how many pills you've missed, really. If it's just the last one from one month and the first from the next, then it's very unlikely you're pregnant. Hormone levels don't tend to dip enough over the course of 24 hours to allow ovulation to take place as long as you take the next pill correctly.

You did mention you've missed other pills though. Again, if it's one or two, then it's unlikely to have a major effect, but any more than that, and you're playing with fire. Of course, all of this is dependent on the assumption that you're taking an appropriate dose. In the UK, family planning tends to be "here's some pills, kthxbai" so chances are you've just got a default prescription. And of course, the risk factor increases depending on which point in your cycle your hormone levels drop due to the missed pill.

Please note that I'm using terms like "probably" and "likely" because all pills have a small probability of failure even when used correctly.

So, at the risk of diagnosing pregnancy before your due date over the internet, I think this is the answer you're looking for:

You're probably not pregnant. But it's possible you may be.

If you're 8dpo then you could get a very early pregnancy test and try it out - you're more likely to get a false negative but if you get a positive, at least you've got earlier warning that you need to think about this. If you don't want to waste the money, wait and test if your period's late. Worrying won't help you so try doing this instead:

Think about what would happen if you are pregnant. Work out how you'd feel in that case, what you'd want to do, then make plans. Also, think about how you'd feel if you turn out not to be pregnant (some people are surprised to find they feel disappointed about that, even though they "think" they don't want to be pg). Then make an alternative set of plans to organise yourself to take contraception regularly.

Once you've done that, you've covered all your bases and are prepared for whatever outcome you get. Then it should be a lot easier to put it to the back of your mind until you can reliably test.

If you don't have the spare cash then don't waste money on a test until your period is late.

Even FRER's might not show at 8/9dpo.

HI @scaredandwondering, I feel for you, you must be very anxious. For what it's worth I've done EXACTLY as you did quite a few times over the years and was very lucky never to have been caught out (and I'm someone who got pregnant immediately the two instances where I came off the pill altogether). A nurse once told me that unless you miss the first few in row, it's possible but very unlikely you'd conceive. We all know I t's much better not to play with fire but you're only human and errors happen. Really hope you get the result you want.

Just get a test from Poundland. No less or more accurate. It’s a stick to piss on - the technology is the same.

You can get a test for £1 and surely that isn’t really a lot of money wasted as you will know one way to the other, and going for a wee isn’t really wasted time is it.

Nobody can answer with certainty how likely it is you will or won’t be, I think really whatever people said you will stilll worry in the back of your mind until you know for sure.

I hope you get the result you want when you take a test OP 💐

Okay.... I got pg on Gedarel. I took it at the same time each day and we only had sex once that month we now have a 2&1/2 year old and dp has had the snip. All I’m saying is just do a test xx

I was on the pill for 6 years, took it on time religiously, never missed a pill, was not on antibiotics, and I got pregnant with my oldest. So yes, you could absolutely be pregnant. Take a test.

I'm now roughly 12dpo and have tested negative so far. I guess it's still early yet, but I'm now 2 days into pill break and no sign of bleed and have felt sick almost constantly since Friday so I suppose I'm not in the clear yet

You need to take a test ASAP as if you're going to going down a certain route, the earlier the better. Burying your head in the sand isn't really viable. I'm really sorry.

@prettypinkpeonie I have tested though?

Your symptoms could be from coming off the pill so please do try not to worry too much. Take another test at the end of this week if your period hasn't started for peace of mind.

@henpeckedinchief thank you I’ve been feeling sick since before the pill break so I don’t think they are related but trying not to worry too much anyways.