Does having withdrawal bleeds mean I’m not pregnant

[PaigeN]

I’ve had two normal withdrawal bleeds from pill does this mean I cannot be pregnant

Hi @PaigeN

Your question is not very clear and from what you wrote, it's impossible to say whether you are or aren't pregnant.

You can't have "two normal withdrawal bleeds from pill". A withdrawal bleeding is your first bleeding after you've stopped taking the pill. It doesn't count as the beginning of your first post pill menstrual cycle. The bleeding that comes after that is your first post pill period and the first day of that period is the first day of your cycle.

Are you trying to get pregnant or not? When did you stop taking the pill? When was your withdrawal bleed? When was the first period after that? There are so many questions here.

Chances are you won't ovulate until after your first normal period, but some women do ovulate right after getting off the pill and get pregnant immediately. If you're trying to get pregnant, it might be wise to start tracking your basal temperature and using ovulation tests to understand your cycle and ovulation better. If you don't want to get pregnant but aren't using any contraception, it's wise to do the same and use condoms until your normal period pattern is back and you know when you're ovulating=when to avoid sex.

My example: Got off the pill in September last year. Had withdrawal bleeding a week after that lasting 5 days. Some 10 days later I got my first, normal period, so that's my first cycle after ditching the pill. Ovulated at day 15 of that very first post pill cycle and got pregnant right away.

I mean on the placebo/break week I bled as would be expected. I am still on the pill. Does this bleeding mean I am not pregnant (don’t want to be)

That makes things much clearer! If you're continuously taking the pill and you have normal bleeding during the break week or placebo week at the expected time, chances are everything is okay. What makes you think/fear there's a chance for pregnancy? Did you skip any pills or did anything out of the ordinary?

I took a few pills ‘late’ not skipped completely but did take them a few hours late

You should be fine, but take a pregnancy test just in case (depending on how long ago was the intercourse, don't take it too soon).

Remember that the pills do allow you to be off by a few hours! Combined pill can be taken up to 12 hours after your normal time, but progestogene only pill should be taken far more strictly. I've spent 15 years and tried both types of pills and believe me, some late pills were bound to happen during such a long time.

Just don't panic and despair, that won't do you any good now, but being under great stress can affect your cycle a lot.

Ok so just taken a pregnancy test (about 8weeks after) and it came up negative, took two but one came up inconclusive but the pack said this is because it probably wasn’t ‘wet’ enough. Think I’m in the clear??

Sounds like you are in the clear due to the negative test.

The "break week" bleed does not indicate that you are not pregnant as you can get it even if you are.